Only 1% of Nigerians in universities — NUC

The National Universities Commission, NUC, yesterday, said only one percent of Nigerian population formed the total enrollment of students in the 164 universities across the country.


The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Abubakar Rasheed, said this while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja.

According to Mr. Rasheed, the 75 private universities in the country account for 5.31 percent of the total enrollment in the universities across the country.

He described the situation as “unhealthy,” saying there is need for more access either by creating more universities or expanding existing ones.

“If you look at the population of 198 million which is close to 200 million and bear in mind the total enrolment in our universities today, all the 164 universities, is slightly less than two million. It is 1.961 million, which translates to roughly one percent of the population.

“One percent of the population is in the university and I think it’s not healthy.”

Mr. Rasheed added that it will be difficult for the commission to regulate the fees of private schools.