The National Universities Commission revealed on Friday that Nigeria now has 264 universities. The number includes universities owned by federal and state governments as well as private individuals and corporations.
The Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, revealed this while presenting provisional licences to some newly established private universities in Abuja.
Rasheed also noted that, despite the high demand for tertiary education, it is grossly inadequate compared to the number of institutions.
Rasheed also urges the proprietors of the newly established universities to ensure that the motive for creating the universities was not for money but for a higher and noble goal.
”In establishing universities, you don’t expect to get financial rewards. If your main motive is to make money, then you are in the wrong place. You are here to pay back to humanity.
”The establishment of private universities is in dire need of passion from people so that passion should drive you,” he added.
While charging the proprietors of quality assurance in the universities, the NUC boss assured them of the commission’s support and cooperation to grow the university system.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, said the Federal Government was committed to public-private partnerships, especially in the education sector, which gave rise to the new universities.
Adejo said this was in a bid to increase access to the university education system.
According to him, the gross total enrollment ratio stands at 12 percent so there is a gap between demand and supply, and as long as this gap exists, the government will continue to welcome proposals for university’s enrollment by credible groups.
