The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday in Abuja approved the issuance of provisional licences for the establishment of seven new private universities in the country. Nigeria currently has 96 universities, comprising 27 federal, 35 state and 34 private universities.

The seven private universities are Wellspring University, Evbuobanosa, Edo State; Paul University, Awka, Anambra State; Rhema University, Obeama-Asa, Rivers State; Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State; Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State; Godfrey Okoye University,

Ugwuomu-Nike, Enugu State, and Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja.

Speaking at the post FEC briefing, which was chaired by Nigerian president, Umaru Yar'Adua, the Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, and her Minister of State counterpart, Ikra Bilbis, said the Minister of Education, Sam Egwu, presented a memo to the council seeking the approval for the issuance of provisional licences for the establishment of the new private universities.

Mrs. Akunyili said FEC approved the memo after considering the country's rising population. "Considering our rising population and this administration's desire to improve skills and enhance standards as one of the seven-point agenda Council, therefore, considered and approved the issuance of provisional licences for the establishment of the seven (7) private universities," she said.

The Minister of State for Education, Aisha Duku, who also spoke at the briefing, said the universities had to undergo rigorous screening before getting the provisional licences.

Ms Dukku added that currently, out of the 96 universities in the country, only 34 are privately owned, and that more universities are needed to take care of the millions who need admission. She said that over one million candidates applied for university admission this year through the Joint Matriculation Examination and only about 220,000 could be accommodated.

She also said contrary to popular opinion that private universities are concentrated in one part of the country, the seven approved private universities are evenly distributed. Two of them are situated in each of the three zones in the South, while one is in the Federal Capital Territory.

toba:

There might be an impending crises.96 already +7 =103.&more are still comin. Access to education is not our challenge in nigeria.We hav many satellite campuses in every local govt area,coupled with distant learning from anywhere in d world.The issue is jobs/employment opportunities are not available.What is d essence of spending 4-5years in school&using another 7-8yrs searching for jobs? Also d fees charged by this institution is just too outrageous¬ affordable.These areas should be looked into

toba:

e.What is d essence of spending 4-5years in school&using another 7-8yrs searching for jobs? Also d fees charged by this institution is just too outrageous&not affordable.

Pharoh:

Well i wouldn't say we don't need more but the existing ones should be upgraded to acceptable standards and any new ones should also toll that line. Another option is diversify the post secondary school education. We should have Polytechnics, Vocational schools, Trade schools and Technical schools. Everyone don't have to be in the university. Create Meaningful jobs and space in the economy for all these categories mentioned and people will not want to kill themselves to get into the Universities. It just seems the only space in the economy for graduates was meant for University graduates hence the mad rush to get in there. In Europe those who went to vocational schools earn big money and live a comfortable live but not in Nigeria.

mogentle:

None is in the North among the 7.

POSAKOSA1:

How will there be new UNI in the North ? you want make Boko Horam come hunt people down ?!  

When it comes to NYSC killings the north takes the first places in murderous locations.

darne:

 F00l, R you telling me that the east west and south are safer than north,, Ehn
What do you even know about North apart from the boko haram thing,, I have been in lagos for more than 20yrs now(born n raised) and i want you to know that the east and the south,west are the most dangerous place for the schools to be built,, Imagine Ogun state,, Full of Rituals and tell me theres none in rivers or akwa ibom,, You see Different places in Nigeria are not safe,, Blieve me,, I Just feel we`re too lazy *we the hausas) Illiteracy is affecting us soo much that we dont care much about our childrens Eduction,, WHAT A PITY ! (no new school in the northern part,, If this things would be right,, The schools Should all be built all over the country thats it,,

  So gbosa-kosa,, Dont say anything bad about North,Its even safe in the north than most of these places,,

scottN:

I wonder what will be the fate of of the federal not to talk of state tertiary institutions in the near future considering the fact that most of these private universities are owned by those who are/were in power or better yet pulling the puppet chords of this country.

POSAKOSA1:

Im Hausa too you Arrow. Building a new UNI in the North is a RISKY investment.

honeric01:

so what should be built in the north? mosque and barracks can't you see that lack of education in the north is drawing the whole country back? they have the highest numbers of people in our government with or without credentials, so don't you think schools are needed there?

POSAKOSA1:

Im not saying that education is not needed in the north. If you can find investors willing to take the risk, the let it be. Im just providing an explanation for why Private UNIs have not been built there.

POSAKOSA1:

Im not saying that education is not needed in the north. If you can find investors willing to take the risk, the let it be. Im just providing an explanation for why Private UNIs have not been built there.

Nezan:

This is good, but Government should be making plans for the graduates too.

messiah:

It might interest you to know that ABTI university is a private university located in Yola, Adamawa state.
And Adamawa state is located in the North.

honeric01:

even if private investors won't go, what about the government?

Dereformer:

Have u ever wondered why a first class graduate in Nigeria cannot even be offered a clerk's job in America or United kingdom?

Dereformer:

Establishing these Universities creates more jobs in itself. Aren't there going to be Academic and Non-Academic staff of the Universities? The problem is not in the number of universities or the non-availability of jobs in the country. The problem is in the quality of graduates we produce in Nigeria. Believe me, if we turn out well tutored and trained graduates- even if there is no job in the country-they can take up good jobs outside the country. Have u ever wondered why a first class graduate in Nigeria cannot even be offered a clerk's job in America or United kingdom?

Nnenna1:

I was also going to add - private universities could also place emphasis on entrepreneurship with relevant classes and such. You don't have to major in business to get that. In honest, the more graduates open private practices - in business, journalism, accounting, education, catering, etc - the better for everyone.

ELDINO:

I'm happy blokes like POSAKOSA1 do acknowledge dat illiteracy has been a common phenomenon in NORTH INCLUDING HIS HOUSEHOLD.Now POSAKOSA1,or wateva u call urself i felt u nid som kind of formal educ. & nt de nomadic sch. U went 2.It may interest u 2 kn dat RIVERS have 1 approved now & more is kumin';AKWA IBOM had one approved which is in session right now & more are comin'.If u hav nothin' 2 say dont kum display your ignorance in public.I just fear 4 de north.CHEERS!!