The Federal Government on Monday, approved 36 new private universities and an online university for operations in Nigeria.
The approval was announced by Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President, in a Federal Executive Council or FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa.
During the meeting, FEC also granted 40 other memoranda from various ministries, departments, and agencies.
Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, said that the newly approved universities have increased the number of private universities in Nigeria to 72.
Adamu who did not disclose the names of the schools, said the online university would be the first of its kind in the country and is owned by a woman from Bauchi State.
Adamu said that the expectation from the online school is for it to cater for some Muslim women who feel reluctant, or restrained from going through physical campus education.
On the funding challenges of some existing universities and the plans for the new ones, the minister said that the new universities are all private, with enough funds to run them. He stated that they should not be denied the opportunity to exist.
Nonetheless, he said that Nigeria needs more universities, as the ones available are not adequate to cater for the educational needs of all aspiring students.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the establishment of 36 new private universities and an online university, the first of its kind in the country. This announcement was made by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa. Additionally, 40 other memoranda from various governmental bodies were approved.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, noted that this brings the total number of private universities in Nigeria to 72. Although he did not disclose the names of the new institutions, he mentioned that the online university is owned by a woman from Bauchi State and is intended to provide an accessible education option for Muslim women who may face restrictions in attending physical campuses.
Addressing concerns about funding, Adamu clarified that the new universities are privately funded and thus should not be denied the opportunity to operate. He also emphasized that additional universities are needed to meet the educational demands of aspiring students in Nigeria.
