The National Universities Commission (NUC) is on the brink of announcing the establishment of two additional universities in Nigeria, elevating the total count to 272 educational institutions across the nation. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of the commission, revealed this development during an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
Maiyaki underscored the imperative of continually approving new universities to bridge the admissions shortfall in the country. Despite approximately two million candidates vying for university admission annually, the available admission slots range from 500,000 to 700,000, exacerbating the challenge.
Amidst the discourse on the proliferation of universities, Maiyaki defended the commission’s stance, emphasizing the necessity of expanding access to higher education. He cited the pivotal role of education investment in distinguishing developed nations from others, urging a strategic approach towards university massification.
Highlighting the plight of families grappling with the quest for university education, Maiyaki reiterated the commission’s commitment to approving new universities. The impending announcement of two additional universities signifies Nigeria’s resolve to address the escalating demand for quality education.
Moreover, Maiyaki disclosed ongoing efforts to enhance the university system through transnational education, facilitating the establishment of foreign universities within the country. Additionally, the commission is in the process of evaluating applications for distance learning centers to ensure the delivery of quality education.
Addressing concerns regarding tuition fees, Maiyaki clarified that Nigerian universities are prohibited from charging fees in dollars. Despite inquiries into allegations of dollarization, investigations revealed no evidence of such practices, reaffirming the commission’s stance on fee regulations.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the education landscape, the approval of two new universities underscores a concerted effort to meet the nation’s educational needs while upholding standards of quality and accessibility.