APPROVAL GRANTS 2 ADDITIONAL PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, TOTALING 149
The federal government has granted approval for the establishment of two additional private universities in Nigeria, bringing the total to 149. This brings the overall count of universities in Nigeria to 274, comprising 149 private, 63 state, and 62 federal universities.
The newly sanctioned universities are Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, Edo state, and the African School of Economics, FCT.
During the presentation of provisional licenses to the two universities in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, disclosed that the approval was granted at the Federal Executive Council on December 13, 2023.
Mamman urged the university proprietors to focus on incorporating skills and entrepreneurship, aligning with the current government agenda. He emphasized that a substantive license would be issued to the universities if they meet quality assurance requirements after a three-year probation period. He also cautioned that the licenses may be withdrawn if the universities fail to meet the full criteria.
Addressing the anticipated population growth, expected to reach 400 million by 2050, Mamman stressed the urgency of preparing to meet the educational needs of the expanding population. He reiterated the government’s openness to proposals for funding and infrastructural development to address the widening gap in access to university education.
Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, acknowledged the unique contributions of private universities to the Nigerian university landscape. He emphasized the importance of private universities in countering the proliferation of illegal universities or degree mills in the country.
Maiyaki urged the newly approved institutions to familiarize themselves with the code of governance for private universities, emphasizing that establishing private universities should be viewed as a social service and a passion-driven endeavor, rather than for profit. He warned that any infractions during the probationary period could lead to the withdrawal of provisional licenses.
From The News Source: DailyTrust
