Nigeria Approves Two More Private Universities
The Nigerian
government has approved two new private universities to serve the
growing educational needs of the population.
Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, the Minister of Education, announced the
approval after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, in
Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
New Entrants
The new institutions are the Achievers University, AU, Owo, Ondo
State, Southwest and the African Institute of Science and
Technology, AIST, which is to be sited in Abuja, the Federal
Capital Territory, in the North Central.
Dr. Nwachukwu said that the Achievers University is being funded
by an indigenous investment firm, the Owo Investment Company
Limited.
The AIST on the other hand, was established by a “consortium of
well-meaning Africans,” with former South African President, Dr.
Nelson Mandela, as Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
Quoting the Minister, “by this singular action, the number of
universities in Nigeria has risen to 91.Of this number, 27 are
federal universities, 30 are state universities, while 34 are
private universities, meaning that there are currently more
privately funded universities in the country.”
Implications
The growing number of private universities is an indication that
the private sector partnership in the Nigerian educational sector
has yielded fruitful dividends.
Furthermore, with more private sector involvement in higher
education, the standard, quality and regular funding of the ivory
towers would be guaranteed.
This development is also expected to increase vacancies for more
teaching and none teaching staff as well as prospective students
seeking admission into universities.
Other FEC Decisions
Among other far reaching decisions by the council, towards
accelerating the development of the country, includes a directive
to all ministries, departments and agencies of government to hence
forth, take immediate steps to ensure fiscal discipline in the
implementation of funds allocated to them.
In line with this directive, the FEC also ordered an immediate
review of all existing contracts in the Medium Development
Actions.
This was done with a view to detecting contractors who are lagging
behind in execution of projects, for appropriate sanctions.
Honouring The Dead
The meeting observed a one-minute silence in honour of the late
Golden Eaglets’ coach, Professor Yemi Tella, who died after a
protracted illness and the deceased member of the House of
Representatives, Alhaji Saminu Safana.
NP/QASIM/YINKA
