The Senate and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have called for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria to meet the increasing demand for tertiary education. This appeal was made during a public hearing in Abuja organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, where stakeholders expressed support for the proposed Federal University, Okigwe, in Imo State.
Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee, along with Senator Patrick Ndubueze, sponsor of the Federal University Okigwe Bill, and NUC Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki, emphasized the urgent need for additional universities. Maiyaki pointed out that Nigeria currently has 275 universities catering to over two million prospective students annually, resulting in only 500,000 to 700,000 admissions each year and leaving approximately 1.3 million students without access to higher education.
He compared Nigeria’s university infrastructure unfavorably to countries like Indonesia, which has around 2,000 universities for a similar population.
To address this shortfall, Maiyaki assured stakeholders that the NUC is working on expanding regulatory frameworks to facilitate the establishment of new institutions. Senator Dandutse noted that the Federal University, Okigwe would enhance access to education for Nigerians, particularly in Imo State.
Ndubueze highlighted the transformative potential of the university for Okigwe, which he described as historically lacking federal recognition.
He stated “Okigwe remains the only province from the past era without federal recognition or a state capital status.”
