Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), has defended the Federal Government’s decision to approve additional universities, countering criticisms from various quarters, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). With the current number of public and private institutions, Maiyaki argues that this figR[=ure is insufficient to meet the surging demand for university education among Nigerian youth.
Drawing comparisons with countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, the United States, and Russia, Maiyaki highlighted that Nigeria’s university enrollment of two million represents a mere one per cent of its population. He stressed that this statistic underscores the urgent need for more higher education institutions to accommodate the growing number of applicants.
ASUU, however, remains critical of the proliferation of universities. The union’s president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has repeatedly called for an amendment to the Act establishing the NUC. He contends that the current trend of establishing new universities dilutes the focus on adequately funding and empowering existing institutions. According to Osodeke, this proliferation places undue strain on the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund), which is often diverted to support new universities, contrary to its intended purpose.
“What we need are universities that are adequately empowered to address the challenges confronting Nigeria and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers elsewhere in the world, not mushroom-glorified high schools,” Osodeke remarked, highlighting the need for quality over quantity in higher education.
In response, Maiyaki justified the creation of more universities, emphasizing the necessity to cater to the educational aspirations of Nigerian youth. He noted that in some countries, over 25 per cent of the population is enrolled in universities, a stark contrast to Nigeria’s one per cent.
As part of NUC’s broader strategy to enhance the quality of education, Maiyaki revealed that guidelines on Transnational Education (TNE) have been finalized. This initiative aims to attract foreign educational institutions to Nigeria, thereby enriching the country’s educational landscape. Additionally, the NUC has outlined new standards intended to elevate the quality of teaching, learning, and research in Nigerian universities to globally competitive levels.
Maiyaki detailed several strategic priorities identified by the NUC, including curriculum development, quality assurance, research and innovation, infrastructure development, information technology integration, and internationalization. These efforts are geared towards repositioning the Nigerian university system for excellence and competitiveness on the global stage.
To foster industry partnerships and promote blended learning, the NUC has transitioned from the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) to the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). This new curriculum framework, was implemented in the 2023/2024 academic session. It reflects Nigeria’s aspirations to build a knowledge economy driven by the fourth industrial revolution and 21st-century skills.
Moreover, the NUC has enhanced guidelines for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs, aiming to integrate e-learning into conventional face-to-face teaching methods. These improvements are designed to ensure quality delivery and align with global best practices in higher education.
Maiyaki affirmed the NUC’s commitment to transforming the Nigerian university system, ensuring it meets the educational needs of its population while striving for global excellence and competitiveness.
