FG licences 8 new universities

Following the recommendation by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Federal Government on Wednesday gave provisional licences for the establishment of eight new private universities in the country.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwuka, who disclosed this while speaking to newsmen after the Federal Executive Committee (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the development, was sequel to a memo submitted by his ministry to the Council on Wednesday seeking approval of the universities.

There are ‎143 existing universities in Nigeria, 61 are operated by private individuals and institutions. The approval by council brings the total number of universities in the country to 151.

The new universities which will run programmes for an initial three years in provisional status are expected to accommodate the teaming population of Nigerian students seeking admission into universities for academic pursuits.

Prof Anwuka reeled out the names of the new universities as Anchor University, located in Ayobo, Lagos state. The university is promoted by Deeper Christian Life Ministry.

Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River state, ‎promoted by Clitter House Nigeria Limited; Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia state, promoted by Seventh Day Adventist Church;  Coal City University, Enugu, promoted by African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, Enugu.

Others are Crown-Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara state, promoted by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited; Dominican University, Ibadan , promoted by Order of Preachers; Nigerian Dominican Community; Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, promoted by Kola Daisi Foundation, and Legacy University, Okija, promoted by The Good Idea Education Foundation.

Prof Anwuka who was joined by the Minister State for Aviation, Heidi Shirika, and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, explained that the eight universities will be mentored by existing older universities in Nigeria. These include University of Lagos, University of Calabar, University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, University of Nigeria (UNN), University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka respectively.

Shading light on the new development, the minister explained that the mentoring arrangement is backed by Education Act, Cap E3 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004 implemented by the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education.

“It is the part of the requirements. And older university old enough within the university zone where each of the new universities has been approved is given the mandate to oversee and mentor the new universities in terms of academic culture, administrative for 3 years within which period they must have learnt the art of university governance and academic details.

So, there must be some near-by big brothers that make sure you don’t operate outside the scope of what you are expected to do within the university structure. So, that mentoring is to supervise so that they don’t do the wrong thing, he added.

Further, the minister said the universities will be visited during the three years of provisional licence to “ensure that they are doing the needful in providing meaningful, responsive education to Nigerian youths.”

Also throwing light on mentoring, Minister of Information and Culture, explained that the law is very specific on exactly what is required.

He said “each of the mentoring universities would among other issues ensure that the correct appointment of the governing council is made; that they recruit appropriate principal officers both academic and administrative; that there would be availability of human and material resources for the commencement of any academic performance. They also have the responsibility to ensure implementation of carrying capacity. They must also assist in staff development. They must also modulate students’ examination; must guarantee quality assurances of the university.

They also have responsibility to moderate admission and also moderate external examination even the older universities were also mentored by universities abroad.

“We believe that by today, we have reached the situation whereby our own universities are capable of mentoring the universities”‎, he noted.