Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has stated that Nigeria does not need more universities.
Instead, he believes the country should focus on expanding existing institutions to accommodate more students.
Speaking in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, Oloyede explained that while many students struggle to gain admission, the solution lies in increasing the capacity of current universities rather than establishing new ones.
Oloyede argued that improving infrastructure and resources in existing universities would be more effective than creating additional institutions with limited capacity.
“For instance, the University of Ibadan currently has a quota of 200 students for medicine. If its facilities are expanded, it could admit 600 to 800 students,” he said.
He added that new universities often take years to develop, enrolling only a few hundred students initially.
Meanwhile, upgrading existing institutions would allow for immediate capacity growth, equivalent to what multiple new universities could accommodate over time.
Oloyede also acknowledged that political considerations often drive the establishment of new universities.
He noted that, in many cases, universities are seen as a way for politicians to show support for their communities in the absence of industries and factories.
“Universities are now the only thing used to prove ‘We love you in this community,’” he remarked.
Instead of focusing on creating new institutions, Oloyede urged the government to invest in expanding and equipping existing universities to enhance their capacity and quality.
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