President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the commencement of full academic activities in six out of the 14 new universities established during the final days of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The announcement came after a private meeting between the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, and President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In this initial phase, two universities will specialize in agriculture, two will focus on colleges of education, and two will emphasize the field of medicine.
Prof. Mamman, in his explanation, emphasized the financial challenges that come with establishing multiple tertiary institutions simultaneously. He stressed that these institutions require substantial funding, particularly during their initial stages, for infrastructure development, staff recruitment, and various other necessities.
While considering whether to proceed with the remaining institutions, the minister highlighted that the specialized nature of these universities aligns with the key priorities of President Tinubu’s administration.
He stated, “Although we might have contemplated a review under normal circumstances, most of these institutions serve specialized purposes.”
