FG approves five new varsities

ABUJA — THE list of Nigeria universities, yesterday, swelled to 122 from 117, following the approval of five new private universities by the Federal Government.

There is currently three categories of universities across the country, in terms of ownership. These are federal, state and private individuals and groups.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, said two of the new universities, Macpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, with University of Ibadan as mentor, and Southwestern University, Okun-Owa, with University of Lagos as mentor, are located in Ogun State.

Maku listed others as Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, which has University of Technology Akure as mentor; Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State; and Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, both having University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, as mentor.

According to him, the move is aimed at bridging the yearning gap for higher education in the country, adding that the approval was granted after a rigorous process.