Lawmakers advocates for 32 additional Federal universities
Lawmakers are pushing for the creation of 32 new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The 10th National Assembly has received these bills, according to an investigation by The PUNCH.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities and experts warn against establishing new institutions without proper funding for existing ones. Nigeria currently has 52 federal universities, 63 state universities, and 147 private universities.
The National Board for Technical Education reports 40 Federal Polytechnics, 49 state-owned, and 76 private polytechnics. There are also 70 federal and state-owned colleges of health, with 17 private colleges of health.
Additionally, the National Commission for Colleges of Education notes 219 colleges of education in Nigeria.
Analysis of the bills shows the Speaker of the House of Representatives leading with a proposal for the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna. The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, advocates for the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende in Abia State.
Other proposed institutions include the Federal University of Information and Communications Technology, Lagos Island, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Ute Okpa in Delta State.
ASUU Chairman, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, criticizes the lawmakers, calling it misplaced priorities. He suggests focusing on projects that impact lives rather than creating more institutions.
Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, Programme Director of Reform Education Nigeria, believes lawmakers are using education matters for political gains, especially amid existing closures of institutions.
Credit: Punch News