Lawmakers Push For 32 New Federal Varsities
Not lesser than 32 bills have been presented before the Senate and the House of Representatives for the creation of new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other experts, however, warned the government against the establishment of new institutions while failing to fund the existing ones.
Analysis of the bills disclosed that the Speaker of the House of Representatives led the pack. The Speaker pushed for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna, which had its first reading on July 6, 2023. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, pushed for the establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende in Abia State.
Additionally, there are bills seeking the establishment of the federal University of Information and Communications Technology, Lagos Island; Federal University of Agriculture, Ute Okpa in Delta State; Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Benue State; Federal College of Health Sciences, Gaya; Federal College of Dental Technology, Faggae; Federal College of Agriculture, Agila, Benue State; Federal College of Education, Dangi-Kanam, Plateau State; Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State.
There is also Benjamin Kalu Federal Polytechnic, Rano, Kano State; Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, Plateau State, and others.
The Chairman of ASUU, Federal University of Minna, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, described the move by the lawmakers as misplaced priorities.
He said, “Misplaced priority. You have institutions that are trying to stay afloat yet the only thing you can think of is to create more institutions so that your people would think you are working. They should concentrate more on projects that would impact the lives of their constituents instead of creating more problems for the nation.”
