NUC seeks more funding for higher education

By Isah Aliyu Chiroma

The National Universities Commission (NUC) is seeking a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s higher education sector, calling for increased funding and a review of its Establishment Act.

This appeal was made by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, during the 2025 budget defense before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund.

Ribadu emphasized the need for legislative updates, pointing out that the current NUC Act, last revised in 2004, is outdated and hinders the commission’s ability to address pressing challenges in the sector. He also highlighted several challenges, including inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits, limited access to higher education, and poor facilities for teaching, learning, and research.

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The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Prof. Sagir Abbas, echoed Ribadu’s concerns, stating that universities struggle to manage overhead costs, with current allocations covering only 2% of operational needs. Abbas emphasized the importance of capturing research in the national budget, as universities are currently left to fend for themselves.

In response, Chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, acknowledged the funding challenges but stressed the importance of integrating internally generated revenue (IGR) into university financial strategies. This, he believes, will enhance competitiveness and ease pressure on public resources.