The Digest:
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of nine new private universities nationwide, expanding Nigeria's tertiary education landscape. The approval follows a reform aimed at clearing a backlog of pending applications.
Key Points:
- Nine new private universities have been licensed in Nigeria.
- The new universities are located in various states: Kaduna, Abuja, Kwara, Imo, Jigawa, Niger, Lagos, Ogun.
- The approvals address a backlog of 551 applications inherited by the Tinubu administration.
- Stricter guidelines and reforms have expedited the approval process.
- A moratorium has been placed on new applications for private tertiary institutions.
- Many of the new universities already have campuses and significant investments.
- The approved institutions were selected after scrutiny to meet operational standards.
The approval of these nine private universities signals the government's commitment to improving Nigeria's higher education system by addressing inefficiencies and clearing a long-standing backlog. The moratorium on new applications will ensure stricter guidelines are adhered to.
Sources: Nigerian Tribune, State House Correspondents
