Senate, NUC back creation of more varsities in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria  —  The Senate and the National Universities Commission on Tuesday canvassed for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria.

This according to the commission would help tackle the rising demand for tertiary education.

This call was made in Abuja during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.

At the event relevant stakeholders backed the proposed establishment of the Federal University, Okigwe, in Imo State.

Speaking at the program, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse; the sponsor of the Federal University Okigwe Bill, Senator Patrick Ndubueze; and the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, underscored the urgent need for more universities in Nigeria.

Maiyaki said, “There are 275 universities, public and private, available for over million prospective students seeking admission annually.

“The implication is that on a yearly basis, only 500,000 to 700,000 students are admitted, leaving about 1.3 million frustrated and unable to pursue university education.”

He added that, “Nigeria, with a population of 200 million, has only 275 universities.

“In contrast, Indonesia, which has a similar population, boasts about 2,000 universities, while countries like Russia, Brazil, and India have hundreds of thousands of higher institutions.”

Adding the issue, Maiyaki said the NUC would introduce expanded regulatory frameworks to enhance capacity building in support of the establishment of additional universities.