NASS Proposes 32 New Universities, Polytechnics In Nigeria (Full List)

There have apparently been 32 bills submitted to the 10th National Assembly (NASS) asking for the establishment of new colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities.

But according to information obtained by Anaedoonline.ng, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has advised the government against founding new universities because existing ones are not adequately funded.

According to a recent release by the National Universities Commission (NUC), there are currently 52 federal universities, 63 state universities, and 147 private universities in Nigeria.

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There are 40 federal polytechnics, 49 state-owned polytechnics, and 76 private polytechnics, according to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). In addition, there are 17 private health colleges and 70 state and federally controlled health institutions. There are 219 colleges of education in Nigeria, according to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

Newsmen claim that the new measures were spearheaded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who on July 6, 2023, gave first reading to a proposal to create the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna.

The Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende in Abia State, is rumoured to have been suggested for establishment by Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Additionally, proposals have been proposed to construct the Federal College of Health Sciences in Gaya, the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Benue State, the Federal University of Agriculture in Ute Okpa in Delta State, and the Federal University of Information and Communications Technology in Lagos Island.

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Federal College of Agriculture, Agila, Benue State; Federal College of Education, Dangi-Kanam, Plateau State; Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State; Federal College of Dental Technology, Faggae.

According to the report, among others are Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, Plateau State; and Benjamin Kalu Federal Polytechnic, Rano, Kano State.

Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, the chairman of ASUU at the Federal University of Minna, responded to the news by calling the lawmakers’ action “misplaced priorities.”

“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,” the varsity Don reportedly said.

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The Programme Director of Reform Education Nigeria, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, said the lawmakers were merely trying to score political goals.

“It is so unfortunate that we live in a country where lawmakers use matters like education to score cheap political goals.

“This is unheard of in any part of the world. How will you propose bills for new institutions when the existing ones have been shut down? Who advises them,” Oluwatoyin said.

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