The Nigerian government opposes National Assembly proposals for nearly 200 new universities. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa highlighted concerns over overwhelming the current educational system. He advocates for strengthening existing universities and announced support measures for traditional education programs.
The Nigerian government has voiced its opposition to the National Assembly’s proposal for the establishment of nearly 200 new universities across the nation. During a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, expressed concerns that the current educational system may become overwhelmed by these numerous bills, which currently number almost 200.
In January, Minister Alausa had announced a one-year moratorium on the creation of new private universities. This decision aims to improve the quality and sustainability of existing institutions, ensuring that only those with adequate financial and operational capacity receive licenses. Alausa emphasized the necessity to strengthen the capabilities of the current universities rather than adding more institutions to the system.
At the press briefing, Alausa remarked, “They (lawmakers) are passing a lot of bills. Today, I can tell you that there are almost 200 bills in the National Assembly. We can’t continue like this.” He noted that despite the legislative activity, the existing universities lack the capacity to admit more students.
The Minister urged, “What we need to do now is to rebuild the capacities so that we can offer more viable courses to our citizens.” He acknowledged the legislators’ desire to demonstrate their productivity but stressed the importance of optimizing current resources and infrastructures before expanding the number of universities in Nigeria.
Alausa further indicated that the government is working on initiatives to support almajirai by providing school feeding programs and vocational training opportunities, alongside grants for Tsangaya and Quranic educators.
In summary, the Nigerian government, led by Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, is opposing the National Assembly’s proposed creation of approximately 200 new universities. The emphasis is placed on enhancing the capacities of existing institutions and optimizing current educational resources to improve the quality of education in the country. The government also aims to support traditional educational programs, reflecting a holistic approach to educational reform.
Original Source: www.tv360nigeria.com
