JAMB Registrar, Prof Oloyede, Says Nigeria Doesn’t Need More Universities
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has argued that Nigeria does not need more universities. Instead, he advocates for the expansion of existing institutions to accommodate more students.
In an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, Oloyede stated that calls for new universities are overly simplistic and do not address the underlying challenges. While acknowledging the growing demand for university admission, he emphasized the need for better use of the existing infrastructure.
Oloyede cited the University of Ibadan as an example, suggesting that if the institution’s facilities were expanded, it could accommodate more students, particularly in competitive courses like medicine. According to him, expanding the capacity of already established universities would have a much greater impact than establishing new ones, which would take years to reach full capacity.
“Rather than creating 10 new universities, we could expand the existing ones,” Oloyede said. “For instance, University of Ibadan’s quota for medicine could be increased from 200 to 600 or 800 students if the facilities are expanded. New institutions, on the other hand, would take years to build up their capacities.”
Oloyede also touched on the political factors behind the push for more universities, noting that such decisions are often driven by the desire to appear responsive to communities in need. “Universities have become the political tool to show ‘We love you in this community,’” he said, pointing out the lack of other major institutions like factories in many parts of the country.
In the same interview, Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), discussed the role of Sharia courts in the South-West, asserting that these courts are vital for ensuring religious harmony and fairness in the region.
