Eight new private universities have been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). At its meeting on Wednes­day, the Council endorsed three-year provisional licences for private universities on the recommendations of the Na­tional Universities Commis­sion (NUC). This brings to 151 the total number of universities in Nige­ria, with 61 of them owned by individuals, religious organisa­tions and foundations.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony An­wuka, listed the new univer­sities and their promoters as Anchor University, located in Ayobo, Lagos state, promoted by Deeper Christian Life Min­istry; Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, promoted by Clitter House Ni­geria Limited; Clifford Uni­versity, Owerrinta, Abia State, promoted by Seventh Day Ad­ventist Church and Coal City University, Enugu, promoted by African Thinkers Commu­nity of Inquiry College of Ed­ucation, Enugu.

Others are Crown-Hill Uni­versity, Eiyenkorin, Kwara State, promoted by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited; Dominican University, Ibadan, promoted by Order of Preachers, Nige­rian Dominican Community; Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, promoted by Kola Daisi Foun­dation, and Legacy University, Okija, promoted by The Good Idea Education Foundation.

Anwuka explained that the eight universities will be men­tored by existing universities close to their locations, which are University of Lagos, Uni­versity of Calabar, Universi­ty of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, University of Nige­ria (UNN), University of Ilor­in, University of Ibadan, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, respectively.

The mentor universities are to oversee and guide the new universities in terms of aca­demic culture and adminis­tration for three years, within which period they must have learnt the art of university gov­ernance and academic details.

The Minister of Informa­tion and Culture, Lai Moham­med further explained that the mentoring universities would among other issues, ensure cor­rect recruitment in the Govern­ing Council, academic and ad­ministrative principal officers, development of human and ma­terial resources, modulate stu­dents’ examination, and guar­antee quality assurances.

credit: The Authority