Minister Of Education Says Nigeria Needs More Universities, 197 Not Enough

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu says that the number of universities in the country is too small, given the nation’s population.

He made the comment at the presentation of provisional licences to 20 newly approved private universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja.

With the approval, Nigeria now has 99 private universities, and a total of 197 universities, private and public.

The minister underscored the need to increase the number of universities in the country, taking into consideration the country’s 200 million population.

Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, noted that private universities have contributed to the opening up of admission space for the swelling population of candidates seeking university education in the country.

He said the argument in some quarters that private universities have become too many in Nigeria, is not plausible, noting that comparative figures of universities in other countries show that Nigeria needs more universities.

The universities granted provisional licences are Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State; James Hope University, Lagos; Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano; Capital City University, Kano; Ahman Pategi University, Pategi, Kwara State; and University of Offa, Kwara State.

Others are Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State; Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State; Maranathan University, Mgbidi, Imo State; Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State and Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State.

Also granted provisional approval are Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State; Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State; NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State and Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State.

Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State; Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State; Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja; Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State and ANAN University, Kwall, Plateau State were also granted provisional approval.