FG approves five more private universities

In spite of public outcry over proliferation of private universities in the country, the Federal Government has again granted approval for the establishment of five new private universities.

The approval, though provisional, according to the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed newsmen after the Federal Executive Council, now raises the number of Nigerian universities to 122.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo presided over the FEC meeting in the absence of President Goodluck Jonathan who is attending an international conference on Somalia in London, the United Kingdom.

Maku and his education counterpart, Prof. Ruqqayat Ruf’ai, laboured to justify the approval granted the new universities, citing some countries with less population but with more universities than Nigeria.

The new universities are: Elizade University, Ilara Mokin in Ondo State; Evangel University, Akaeze in Ebonyi State; Gregory University, Uturu in Abia State; McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo; and Southwestern University, Okun Owa in Ogun State.

According to Maku, the number of eligible students that are yearning for university education annually will continue to make it imperative for government to grant approval for more universities once the guidelines are met.

Maku insisted that the wide gap in terms of demand for university education “must be filled”, adding: “Our country is in need of higher education.”

Ruf’ai, who briefed alongside Maku, however, assured that government will not compromise qualitative education while granting approval for establishment of private tertiary institutions.

She however ruled out the possibility of government regulating tuition fees being charged in private institutions, saying they are private investments.

It will be recalled that the FEC last year granted approval for the establishment of nine federal universities as well as four private ones.