Nigeria freezes new universities for six years
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch and Daily Trust
The Nigerian Senate has asked its committees to suspend consideration of proposals to create new universities and other higher-education institutions, in line with the federal five-to-seven-year moratorium, Punch and Daily Trust report. The pause is intended to fund, equip and consolidate existing institutions, some of which were recently created and still lack permanent sites, Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele said.
The Senate has asked the clerk not to put proposals to create new higher-education institutions on the agenda for consideration. Opeyemi Bamidele also tasked him with informing lawmakers of the government’s position, as some may be unaware of the moratorium, according to Daily Trust.
Godswill Akpabio said Bola Tinubu had outlined this policy change to the leaders of the National Assembly. He also mentioned the pressure placed on lawmakers when they are asked to support projects for institutions in their constituencies, Daily Trust reports. Akpabio said that establishing a university is a national responsibility that cannot be treated like establishing a primary school.
