Thousands Seek UNIMAID Admission Despite Boko Haram – VC

Over 37,000 qualified undergraduate, last year, applied to be admitted into the University of Maiduguri, Vice Chancellor Abubakar Njodi has said.

Njodi said their interest in the institution comes despite the Boko Haram insurgency beleaguering the state.

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Speaking during a press briefing to mark the flag off of the University’s 23rd convocation ceremony, Njodi said, “The year before last we had a request of over 28,000 students who are vying for only 9000 spaces; so we took only 9000 and the remaining were asked to apply for another year.

Boko Haram has carried out attacks within and around the perimeters of the university leading to the deaths of students and staff of the institution, including a renowned professor.

Despite the challenge, the VC said the university has never for once been shut, “and ironically the students enrolment which was supposed to dwindle continued to increase”.

“As you are aware, the University of Maiduguri has never been closed, despite the sounds of bombs, guns amidst the risk of kidnapping in the last eight years,” he said.

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“The first few years of the insurgency actually affected the student enrolment in the university, which had to do with the fear parents expressed over the security of their wards,” he continued.

“But somehow, by 2014, our student enrollment has grown so much that it has even surpassed the previous ones. Here, we have to be pleading and begging some of the prospective students that they should be patient until another year.

“The year before last, we had a request of over 28,000 students who are (were) vying for only 9000 spaces. We took only 9000 and the remaining were asked to apply for another year.

“We thought the following year would be better. But last year, we had over 37,000 qualified candidates who wanted to enroll into the University of Maiduguri. But of the 37,000, yet again, we are only allowed to enroll 9000. And of these 9000, all of them, except for a few, who did not meet the requirements of their departments have registered.

“So that is to tell you that we are even doing better. Instead of the conflict bringing our enrollment and admission profile backward, it turns out that our challenge has turn out to be our strength.

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“So as it is now, we have been pleading for more space and pleading with the authority if they can increase the quota for us. But even if the authorities increase our quota, it certainly cannot go beyond or double the 9000. Assuming if it even doubles the number, we can only end up with 18, 000. And by the following year, we will end up with having about 40, 000 application.”

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