The Federal Government has approved the establishment of two new universities bringing the number of private universities in the country to 274.
The universities are: Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, Edo State and the African School of Economics, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the presentation of Provisional Licences to the two universities in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said two universities were approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the December 13, 2023 Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Mamman charged the proprietors of universities to capture skills and entrepreneurship which are the current thinking of this government.
He said that a substantive licence would be issued to the universities three years after the probation only If they met the requirements of quality assurance.
The Minister, therefore, warned that the licences may be withdrawn after three years probation If they fail to meet the full requirements.
“As you are probably aware, Nigeria currently has the largest economy in Africa with great potentials.
“The country’s population is forecasted to increase up to four hundred million by the year 2050. This should therefore evoke a sense of urgency in preparation to cater for the needs of this anticipating population.
‘Government being well aware that Education holds the key to preparation we speak of, will contact to welcome partnership with the private sector, especially on the area of University education.
‘As long as the gap of access to University education continues to widen and the enrollment of student in excess of the standard carrying capacity of the Nigerian Universities system persists, government will continue to welcome proposals for funding and infrastructural development”, he said.
He advised that upon commencement of academic activities, the universities should sustain funding toward improving infrastructure, equipment for teaching and learning, as well as human resources up to a level that would earn them full accreditation.
On Certificates racketeering, he warned that the Ministry would go after anyone with fake universities certificates with the watch of the law.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Sectetary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, said private universities bring certain uniqueness to the Nigerian University landscape.
He noted that while the Commission encouraged the innovative posture of some of these private universities, the Ministry through the Commission embarked on radical re-engineering of curricula to meet the best global standard.
“It is also pertinent that the establishment of more private universities under the strict supervision of the NUC is an important antidote to the proliferation of illegal universities degree mills across the country.
“I wish to enjoin you to acquaint yourselves with the code of governance for private universities which aims to enhance the successful running and sustainable of institutions.
“It has been further reviewed to give some latitude to the proprietors on the issue of appointment of principle officers.
“We continue to emphasised and sress that the venture of establishing private universities is not for profit, it is a social service and a journey of passion”, he said.
-9News Nigeria.
