Nigerian Lawmakers
Lawmakers demands for more universities. An investigation by The PUNCH discovered that 32 legislation for the establishment of new universities, polytechnics, and institutions of education had been presented before the Senate and House of Representatives since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other experts cautioned the administration against establishing new schools while failing to fund current ones.
According to the PUNCH, Nigeria has 52 federal universities. According to official data from the National Universities Commission, the country has 63 public universities and 147 private institutions.
According to the National Board for Technical Education, there are 40 federal polytechnics, 49 state-owned polytechnics, and 76 private polytechnics. There are 70 federal and state-owned health institutions, as well as 17 private health colleges.
In addition, the National Commission for institutions of Education estimates that Nigeria has 219 institutions of education.
The analysis of the bills found that the Speaker of the House led the pack. The Speaker advocated for the creation of the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna, which received its first reading on July 6, 2023. Similarly, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, advocated for the development of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, in Abia State.
There are also bills proposing the establishment of the Federal University of Information and Communications Technology, Lagos Island; the Federal University of Agriculture, Ute Okpa in Delta State; the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Benue State; the Federal College of Health Sciences, Gaya; the Federal College of Dental Technology, Faggae; the Federal College of Agriculture, Agila in Benue State; the Federal College of Agriculture, Agila in Benue State; the Federal College of Agriculture, Agila in
There is also the Benjamin Kalu Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and the Federal Polytechnic in Shendam, Plateau State.
In an interview with our correspondent, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, Chairman of ASUU, Federal University of Minna, termed the lawmakers’ action as misguided priorities.
“Misplaced priority,” he explained. You have institutions that are struggling to stay afloat, and the only solution you can think of is to establish new institutions to give the impression that you are functioning. They should focus more on projects that would improve the lives of their constituents rather than adding to the nation’s difficulties.”
In an interview with our correspondent, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, the Programme Director of Reform Education Nigeria, stated that the lawmakers were only attempting to achieve political objectives.
“It is so unfortunate that we live in a country where lawmakers use issues like education to score cheap political goals,” Oluwatoyin added. This is unprecedented anywhere in the globe. How would you propose legislation for new institutions now that the previous ones have been closed down? Who gives them advice?”