The National Universities Commission (NUC) has said that only 400,000 out of the 1. 5 million candidates that write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) every year gain admission into Nigerian universities.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, disclosed this when Gov. Adams Oshiomole of Edo visited the Commission on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oshiomole was at NUC to collect the Certificate of Recognition for the newly established Edo State University, Iyanmo.

OKojie said new universities were needed in order to boost access to higher education while making sure that quality was not compromised.

“I am always happy when a new university comes on board; what that means is that we are expanding and we are opening up access.

“We know the number of students that sit for UTME organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) every year.

“However, out of the 1.5 million students who write UTME every year, we are barely able to make provision for only about 400 students.

“The new university will, therefore, be accessible not only to students from Edo State but those from Ondo State and other states,’’ he said.

According to the executive secretary, the Edo State University, Iyanmo, has become the 41st state university and the 142nd university in Nigeria.

He urged universities to take research seriously in order to solve the immediate challenges of the society.

Responding, Oshiomole thanked Okojie for the useful tips he offered in the course of establishing the university, especially in the area of enabling legislation.

He said that for sound university education, there was need to produce sound secondary school graduates who would be able to face the rigours of university education.

The governor said that the university was built to taste and international standard.

He added that in a highly digitalised world, there was need for centres of excellence.

“We have structures that are strong and well designed; we are building more faculties.

“We are building more standard students’ hostels; students will behave based on the influence of the environment.

“So, it is my hope that we will make the right level of investment and the university will charge fees that will enable it to access revenue for sustained development without depending much on Edo State Government,’’ he said. (NAN)

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