Rather than being a matter for joy, the licensing of four new universities is viewed differently. Why? Despite their coming, they may not be able to address the need of those yearning for higher education.
They have now brought the number of universities in the country to 117.Of the number, 45 are private universities; 36 each are founded by the states and Federal Governments. The number of federal universities became 36 from 27 when the government announced the establishment of nine universities in December.With nine federal and four private universities scheduled to begin operation in the 2011/2012 academic session, it is expected that about 6,500 more spaces would be open for more admission seekers this year.
While government’s effort is commendable, the situation is still dire. An estimated one million candidates are preparing to write the UTME scheduled for June 11.
Going by statistics of previous years, the 6,500 added spaces would only be scratching the surface of the problem.

Is the licensing of new universities the solution? Isn’t it time for the government to consider the recommendations of some vice-chancellors and professors for increased funding for older universities so that they can expand their capacity to admit more students?