Nigeria  still grossly deficient in access to university education as only 37.2% gained admission – FG

 

. License 12 new private varsities

 

 

 

Favour Ishember, Abuja

 

 

The Federal Government has revealed that the number of applications for university admissions for the 2020 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) was 1, 415,501 out of which only 527,929 representing 37.2% gained admission to universities in Nigeria.

 

The Executive Secretary, National University Commission, ( NUC) Prof Abubakar Adamu Rasheed made this revelation  Thursday, on Abuja , at  presentation of provisional licences to twelve (12) new private Universities approved by the Federal Executive Council at its 12th meeting on 6th April, 2022.

 

 

Regrettably,  he says Nigeria is  still grossly deficient in access to the university education sub-sector, which is the highest producer of the skilled level manpower required to activate and sustain the socio-economic transformation of the country.

 

 

Even with over 200 universities, access to university education remains a challenge in the education sector in Nigeria due to the high demand for degrees from an increasing number of secondary school graduates and even graduates of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. He said.

 

In the words of the Executive Secretary:”This is another proud moment for the NUC, as we see the birth of another cohort of private universities, midwifed by the NUC. For us at the Commission, the issuance of provisional license to proposed private universities which have successfully passed through the crucible of our fourteen (14) step process to earn the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is heart-warming”

 

This is another proud moment for the NUC, as we see the birth of another cohort of private universities, midwifed by the NUC. For us at the Commission, the issuance of provisional license to proposed private universities which have successfully passed through the crucible of our fourteen (14) step process to earn the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is heart-warming”

 

 

“This gruelling process has greatly evolved since 1999 when the first cohort of private universities were licensed. What remains unchanged however, is the pivotal role of quality education in the overall development of a Nation. Our continued partnership with the private sector, continues to emphasize this

Deliberate and result-oriented investment in quality higher education is a prerequisite to the production of the required human capital with the capacity to drive a sustainable socio-cultural and economic development of a country”

 

 

Prof Rasheed therefore applauded  the Proprietors of the licensed  private universities for taking  the  initiative of establishing these Universities despite the huge resource implication of establishing a private University in Nigeria.

 

 

“Today you have become critical stakeholders and partners with NUC for an enviable university system. We recognise  the material and mental resources you have expended in actualizing  the dream of a university in Nigeria.

 

“The role you play in bridging the gap created by the growing demand for university education in the country by your investment is not, and can never be taken for granted. I would like to therefore congratulate the Proprietors of the twelve newly approved private universities and assure them of the National Universities Commission’s unrelenting support and cooperation”

 

 

Encouraged by the innovative posture of some of the private universities, he said Private universities bring a certain uniqueness to the Nigerian University landscape.

 

The NUC Boss hinted  that the Federal Ministry of Education, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), has embarked on the radical re-engineering of curricula in Nigerian Universities to meet global standards and international best practices towards preparing Nigerian graduates for relevance in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) world economy with the skills needed for the future.

 

 

Mist importantly, Prof Rasheed  said the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) has been revised to Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards

 

“with the programme experts and industry stakeholders. The CCMAS which will soon be unveiled to the public, provides 70% of what should be taught along with the expected outcomes, while the universities will provide 30% based on their individual contextual peculiarities and characteristics” he explained.

 

“Similarly, the establishment of more private universities, under the strict supervision of the NUC, is also an important antidote to the proliferation of illegal universities or degree mills across the country, which has become a major source of worry and embarrassment to the nation, and a menace to quality university education delivery”

 

 

He enjoined the proprietors of the licensed private universities  to acquaint theme selves with the code of governance for private universities in Nigeria which aims to enhance the successful running and sustainability of institutions.

 

“Consequently, I encourage the Proprietors to ensure that quality is not compromised for profit motives, as any operation outside the provisions of NUC guidelines will attract appropriate sanctions and if found out during the probationary period, a withdrawal of the provisional license which you will receive today. My advice to you therefore is, if or when in doubt, seek counsel from NUC”

 

 

Any deviation from those without the approval of the Commission will attract sanctions which may include  the withdrawal of the provisional license. He warned.