The Federal Government has announced a delay in the commencement of operations for the newly approved universities approved by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, a decision prompted by the need for adequate funding to ensure effective and efficient educational programmes. Minister of Education Tahir Mamman revealed this following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Many of these new universities were licenced during the previous administration’s final days. President Tinubu, after careful consideration, has opted to stagger their establishment rather than scrapping them altogether. The focus is on assessing each university’s strengths and benefits to students, with an emphasis on imparting valuable skills to the youth. The government envisions universities that equip students with skills beneficial not only to their personal development but also to the nation’s economic growth.
The government is also addressing the challenges faced by states in accessing funds from the Universal Basic Education Board. President Tinubu has approved a review of the funding process to facilitate quicker and easier access to these funds by states.
Minister Mamman further disclosed that pending issues involving federal tertiary institutions’ staff are being discussed with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Additionally, the President has approved the convening of an education stakeholders conference set for Thursday in Abuja. The conference aims to chart a new course for the education sector in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Former Nasarawa state governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, also met with the President to offer congratulations on the various reforms intended to revitalise the economic and security sectors. Al-Makura urged Nigerians to exercise patience and trust that the administration’s vision and policies will positively impact the country’s security, economic development, and overall well-being.
Notably, the outgoing administration approved the establishment of 37 new private universities nationwide on May 15. This decision brings the total number of universities established under the Buhari-led government to 72, including 14 Federal Universities, 21 State Universities, and 37 Private Universities since 2015. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted provisional licences to these newly established universities.
