An additional thirty-two federal institutions are to be established, according to legislative proposals.
Since the 10th National Assembly took office, 32 legislation have been submitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives proposing the establishment of new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, according to the study.
ASUU, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, has issued a warning to the government not to build any more institutions in light of the inadequate funding for current ones.
Remember that the National institutions Commission, or NUC, reports that there are 147 private institutions, 63 state universities, and 52 federal universities in Nigeria.
There are 40 federal polytechnics, 49 state-owned, and 76 private, according to the National Board for Technical Education, or NBTE. Seventeen private health colleges exist, compared to the seventy federal and state-owned health institutions.
Additionally, according to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), there are 219 colleges of education in Nigeria.
The Federal University of Technology, Kaduna proposal, which saw its first reading on July 6, 2023, was introduced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, also suggested that the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, be established in the state of Abia.
Additionally, there are laws aiming to build the Federal College of Health Sciences, Gaya; Federal University of Agriculture, Ute Okpa in Delta State; Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Benue State; and Federal University of Information and Communications Technology, Lagos Island.
Federal Colleges of Education in Dangi-Kanam, Plateau State; Federal College of Agriculture in Agila, Benue State; Federal College of Dental Technology in Faggae; and Federal College of Education in Bende, Abia State.
Among others are the Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, Plateau State; and Benjamin Kalu Federal Polytechnic, Rano, Kano State.
Speaking to reporters about the development, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, the chairman of ASUU at the Federal University of Minna, characterized the lawmakers’ action as having the wrong priorities.
“Misplaced priority,” he remarked. While your institutions are struggling to survive, all you can think of doing is founding new ones to give the impression that something is going on.
“Rather than causing more issues for the country, they ought to focus more on initiatives that would improve the lives of their constituents.”
Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, the Program Director of Reform Education Nigeria, stated that the legislators were only attempting to achieve political objectives.
It is quite regrettable that officials in our nation utilize issues like education to further petty political agendas.
“Nowhere in the world has this happened before. After the closure of the current institutions, what legislation will you suggest for the new ones? Oluwatoyin stated, “Who gives them advice?”
