Peaceland University in Enugu has appealed to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to raise the admission quota for universities, citing a high demand for admission and a shortage of medical professionals in the country.
Speaking at the university’s second matriculation ceremony, Pro-Chancellor Felix Ugwuozor noted that the institution admitted over 600 students across its four faculties, but could have admitted more if not for the NUC’s quota restrictions. Ugwuozor emphasized the need for universities like Peaceland to admit more students, particularly in medical sciences, to address the brain drain of doctors and nurses leaving the country.
The university, which began operations in the 2023/2024 academic session with four faculties and 33 departments, is one of the newer private universities in Nigeria. According to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s 138+ private universities account for only 7.5% of undergraduate admissions in the country, with many lacking substantial admission capacity.
The NUC has been working to regulate university admissions, with the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, issuing a memo hiking processing fees for new private universities to N25m. However, Peaceland University’s appeal highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to university admissions, one that balances regulation with the demand for higher education in Nigeria.
By: URAMA UCHECHUKWU
Date: March 15, 2025
URAMA UCHECHUKWU IFUNANYA