The National Universities Commission (NUC) has said more universities will be established in Nigeria, in a bid to increase access to tertiary education.
NUC noted that only between 500,000 and 700,000 students get admitted, while almost two million candidates seek admission.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, NUC’s acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, said that two new universities will be approved in the coming week, which will increase the number of universities in the country to 272.
His words: “We have no choice but to, as a matter of deliberate policy, undertake the massification of universities.
“You need to see the anguish and frustration on the faces of families who are desperate to make sure that their children attend university education every admission session. It is very tough and challenging for university leaders and NUC and so we have no choice but to continue to approve the universities.
“The approval for two more varsities to bring the number of universities in the country to 272 has been concluded and will be announced next week.”
He also maintained that Nigeria will continue to widen university access by approving more universities to meet its demands and supply of quality education.
