The Federal Government in Nigeria has approved the establishment of 37 new private universities across the country.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, announced this on Monday, in Abuja, while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of an Extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Adamu said the approval followed a memo presented by the Ministry of Education at the Cabinet meeting.
According to Adamu, the approval was given, considering the importance of education in bolstering the economic fortunes of the country.
Adamu, who declined to mention the names of the newly-approved higher institutions of learning only revealed that one of the 37 was an online university operated by a female Chancellor from Bauchi State.
Monday’s approval brings the total number of universities approved for establishment under the Buhari-led government to 72. They include 14 Federal Universities, 21 State Universities and 37 Private Universities from 2015 to date.
When questioned about the FG’s move to establish more universities despite the ailing public university structure nationwide, Adamu argued that the country needs more universities to school its swelling youth population.
He said, “We need more universities. The existence of the many universities should not deter the creation of new ones. Besides, these are private universities.”
Also, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the Council approved the universal implementation of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010, which makes comprehensive provisions for payment of compensation to employees who suffer from occupational diseases or sustain injuries arising from accidents at workplace or in the course of employment.
He said council also directed the Attorney general of the Federation to avail the states circulars of the approved memo.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, noted that the Federal Government has witnessed a rise in school enrollment nationwide
She said the government has approved a budget of over N14 billion to train N-Power beneficiaries.
Farouq also said Council approved a policy on the National Home Grown School Feeding programme (NHGSFP), which seeks to address the issues of education, health, social protection and agriculture.
On his part, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the council approved over N3 billion for the procurement and installation of a taxi lighting system.
“So today in council, something very significant has happened in the world of civil aviation, part of our roadmap, the Aviation Leading company has been established and approved by council.
“So, therefore, entrepreneurs and civil aviation will have access to lease equipment at affordable rates and within our country, Nigeria, and this is part of a roadmap. So the roadmap is gradually coming to 100% completion. So I’m glad to see the full business case has been approved by the FEC.
“A second memo was also awarded a contract for the procurement, and installation of taxi lighting system, and photometric pattern for Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and some other equipment all over the country. In this contract the total sum for the photometric and taxi lighting system for both airports mentioned is total contract sum is N3,047,127,022.72 with seven and half percent VAT and 12 months completion period. The contractor is Messess KSR3 Global Nigeria Limited. So those are the two memoranda”, he said.
