The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced intentions to establish two new universities in Nigeria, a move that could significantly alter the country’s higher education system. During a press conference in Abuja, the commission’s acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, unveiled this program, which attempts to close the recurring admissions gap that has grown to be a major obstacle for higher education in Nigeria.
Taking Care of the Admissions Gap
Though around two million applicants apply to universities every year, the harsh truth is that only 500,000–700,000 students are accepted because of the quota. This difference has not only made competition fiercer but also highlighted how urgently the university system has to strategically grow to accommodate more aspirant students.
An Intentional Massification Strategy
Maiyaki underlined that the country’s higher education system is intentionally being “massified” through the purposeful policy of adding more universities. “We are forced to massify universities as a matter of deliberate policy,” Maiyaki said, emphasizing the vital role that education plays in setting industrialized nations apart from the rest of the world. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other stakeholders have expressed worry over the growth of universities without providing adequate finance for already established institutions, which has led to the acting Executive Secretary’s remarks.
A worldwide outlook and high-quality education
As part of the NUC’s strategy, the Nigerian university system would also be repositioned to allow for the operation of international universities in the nation through transnational education. This plan attempts to improve the quality of education provided in addition to expanding the number of available seats. Maiyaki brought up the fact that nations with populations less than Nigeria’s have more than 1,000 universities, highlighting the necessity for Nigeria to develop its infrastructure for education.
Regulation of Fees and Distance Education
The NUC is reviewing proposals for the creation of remote learning centres in addition to university expansion, making sure that they offer high-quality instruction without signalling a return to the unregulated age of DLCs. In addition, the NUC has responded to worries over the dollarization of tuition by stating that no Nigerian University is allowed to charge tuition in dollars other than for international students. Investigations into claims made against a private university revealed that they were unfounded, which led to this clarification.
Finally
With the announcement of two new institutions by the NUC, millions of aspirant students and their families now have optimism as a major step towards eliminating Nigeria’s admissions deficit is taken. In addition to meeting the immediate demand for additional academic spaces, this expansion paves the way for a more comprehensive discussion about the standard and financing of higher education in Nigeria. The NUC’s activities demonstrate a commitment to developing a more inclusive and robust university system that can satisfy the needs and aspirations of the nation’s growing youth population, as the nation continues to strive towards educational quality and accessibility.
Sources: Allschoolabs, Myschoolgist
