The National Universities Commission (NUC) has asked the Federal Government to establish more universities to reduce the number of people seeking admission into higher institutions.
The former acting Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, made the request during a public hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, where stakeholders supported the proposed Federal University, Okigwe in Imo State.
Maiyaki empathised that the number of public and private universities in the country is not enough to accommodate all admission seekers on a yearly basis. He emphasised the need for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria to address the rising demand for tertiary education.
Speaking at the hearing, 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, all underscored the urgent need for more universities in Nigeria.
Maiyaki highlighted the dire shortfall in Nigeria’s higher education infrastructure. He noted, “There are 275 universities, both public and private, available for over two 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.” The executive secretary further compared Nigeria’s situation to other nations, stating, “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.”
To address this gap, Maiyaki assured stakeholders that the NUC was working on expanding regulatory frameworks and enhancing capacity building to support the establishment of additional universities. Senator Dandutse also pointed out the potential impact of the proposed Federal University, Okigwe.
According to him, it would “significantly improve access to university education for Nigerians, particularly those in Imo State, while contributing to national educational development.” Similarly, Senator Ndubueze stressed the transformative potential of the institution for Okigwe, noting that the town had long been deprived of federal presence. “Okigwe remains the only province from the past era without federal recognition or a state capital status,” he remarked.