The Senate and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have called for the creation of more universities in Nigeria to address the increasing demand for tertiary education.
During a public hearing in Abuja organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, stakeholders supported the establishment of the Federal University, Okigwe, in Imo State.
Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, sponsor of the Federal University Okigwe Bill, and NUC Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki stressed the need for better higher education infrastructure.
Maiyaki revealed that out of over two million university hopefuls yearly, only 500,000 to 700,000 gain admission into Nigeria’s 275 universities, leaving 1.3 million excluded.
He compared this to Indonesia, which has 2,000 universities for a similar population size.
He assured stakeholders that the NUC is improving regulations to support the establishment of more universities.
Senator Dandutse outlined the benefits of the proposed university for Imo State and the country, while Senator Ndubueze noted its importance in addressing Okigwe’s historical neglect
