The Senate and the National Universities Commission have called for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria to address the growing demand for higher education.
This call came during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on Monday, where stakeholders in the education sector expressed support for the proposed Federal University, Okigwe, in Imo State.
The hearing provided a platform for discussions on the need for more universities to meet the educational needs of millions of Nigerians.
In separate remarks, Senator Muntari Dandutse, chairman of the committee; Senator Patrick Ndubueze, the sponsor of the bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University, Okigwe; and NUC Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki all emphasized the necessity for additional universities in the country, according to Daily Post.
They highlighted the urgent need to expand access to higher education, with millions of Nigerians seeking admission each year.
According to Maiyaki, statistics show a significant gap in the number of universities available to meet the demand for university education in Nigeria. With only 275 universities, both public and private, in the country, there are over two million prospective students seeking admission annually. However, only 500,000 to 700,000 students are admitted, leaving approximately 1.3 million students without opportunities for higher education. Maiyaki pointed out that Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people requires far more universities, citing countries like Indonesia, which has around 2,000 universities, as examples of nations with greater higher education capacity.
Maiyaki further noted that the NUC is already working on expanding regulatory and capacity-building frameworks to support the growth of additional universities.
Senator Dandutse, in his remarks, emphasized that the proposed Federal University, Okigwe, would make university education more accessible, particularly to residents of Imo State and surrounding areas. Senator Ndubueze added that the university would bring much-needed development to Okigwe, which has historically lacked federal presence, noting that the town deserves such a transformation.
“There are 275 universities, both public and private, for over two million prospective students seeking admission on a yearly basis.
“The implication is that on a yearly basis, out of the two million prospective students seeking university admission, only 500,000 to 700,000 are absorbed, leaving about 1.3 million out of the equation with attendant frustrations.
“Nigeria definitely needs more universities, as the 275 existing ones are just too inadequate for her population of 200 million. Indonesia, which also has over 200 million population like Nigeria, has about 2,000 universities, not to talk of Russia, Brazil and India with hundreds of thousands of universities,” he said.