FG Approves Licensing of 37 New Universities, Including First Online University

The Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, approved the licensing of 37 new universities in Nigeria. This decision brings the total number of universities licensed by the Buhari administration since 2015 to 72. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, made the announcement after the extra-ordinary Council meeting.

First online university in Nigeria owned by a woman from Bauchi State

While the Minister did not disclose the names of the newly licensed universities, he mentioned that one of them is an online university—the first of its kind in Nigeria—owned by a woman from Bauchi State. This university is expected to cater to the needs of northern Muslim women who may feel reluctant or restrained from attending physical campus education.

The need for additional universities

While there have been complaints about the proliferation of universities in Nigeria, the Minister of Education explained that Nigeria needs more universities as the existing ones are not adequate to cater to all those yearning for higher education. He further explained that the newly licensed universities are all private and have enough funds to run them, so they should not be denied the opportunity to exist. This decision will also help create more job opportunities for qualified lecturers and other support staff in the education sector.

The demand for higher education in Nigeria has been increasing over the years. However, the limited number of universities in the country has resulted in a low enrollment rate for students.

Funding challenges

It is important to note that the funding challenges facing existing universities in Nigeria are a cause for concern. The government should ensure that they adequately fund these institutions to ensure that they provide quality education to their students. In addition, they should monitor the operations of the newly licensed universities to ensure that they maintain high academic standards.

The licensing of Nigeria’s first online university is a step towards embracing technology in education. Online learning has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increasing demand for flexible learning options, the government’s decision to license an online university is timely. This move will help expand access to higher education for students who may not be able to attend physical universities