The Federal Government has given a nod to the establishment of two new private universities; Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, Edo State and African School of Economics, FCT.
The approval brings the number of private universities to 149 and a total number of universities in the country to 274.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, presented the provisional licences to the two universities on Thursday in Abuja.
While speaking at the event, the Minister said the two institutions were approved by President Bola Tinubu at the December 13, 2023, Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting.
Mamman charged the proprietors of the universities to prioritise skills and entrepreneurship, which, he said, were the current thinking of the government.
He said substantive licences would be issued to the universities after a three-year probation and only if they met the requirements of quality assurance.
The minister, therefore, warned that the provisional licences might be withdrawn after three years of probation if they fail to meet the full requirements.
Justifying the approval of the institutions, Mamman said the Tinubu-led administration
Is ready to work with the private sector on access to university education and infrastructural development.
“As you are probably aware, Nigeria currently has the largest economy in Africa with great potential. The country’s population is forecast to increase by up to four hundred million by the year 2050.
“This should therefore evoke a sense of urgency in preparation to cater for the needs of this anticipated population.
“The government, being well aware that education holds the key to the preparation we speak of, will continue to welcome partnership with the private sector, especially in the area of university education,” he said
