Senate and NUC Advocate for More Universities in Nigeria

The Senate and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have called for the establishment of additional universities in Nigeria to meet the increasing demand for tertiary education.

This appeal was made on Monday in Abuja during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund. At the event, stakeholders expressed their support for the proposed Federal University, Okigwe, in Imo State.

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

Highlighting the challenges, Maiyaki revealed a severe shortfall in Nigeria’s higher education infrastructure.

“There are currently 275 universities, both public and private, to cater to over two million prospective students annually. Unfortunately, only 500,000 to 700,000 gain admission each year, leaving about 1.3 million unable to pursue university education,” he explained.

Maiyaki further compared Nigeria’s figures to other nations, noting, “While Nigeria, with a population of 200 million, has just 275 universities, Indonesia, with a similar population, boasts around 2,000 universities. Countries like Russia, Brazil, and India have hundreds of thousands of higher institutions.”

To bridge this gap, Maiyaki assured stakeholders that the NUC is working on expanding regulatory frameworks and building capacity to support the establishment of more universities.

Senator Dandutse highlighted the potential benefits of the proposed Federal University, Okigwe. He stated, “This institution will significantly improve access to university education for Nigerians, particularly in Imo State, while also contributing to national educational development.”

Senator Ndubueze also emphasized the transformative potential of the university for Okigwe, a town that he described as long deprived of federal recognition and development.

“Okigwe is the only province from the colonial era without federal presence or state capital status,” he remarked, noting the establishment of the university would address this historical oversight.