President Bola Tinubu has given approval for the staggered takeoff of six out of the 14 public universities established during the twilight of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed this information to State House Correspondents, highlighting the strategic choice of two colleges each in agriculture, education, and medicine. This decision aligns with the skills-empowerment goals of the Tinubu-led administration.
The Buhari administration had approved the establishment of over 75 universities, including federal, state, and private institutions within seven years. However, the Federal Government faces challenges in terms of funding and qualified staffing to kick-start all the institutions simultaneously, given their capital-intensive nature.
Prof. Tahir Mamman emphasized that the Tinubu administration would be “conservative” in approving the establishment of new universities. He stated, “Mr. President has directed we stagger their commencement, their takeoff so that the government can properly support them.” The decision to stagger the takeoff is aimed at ensuring that the institutions receive adequate support in terms of funding and staffing.
This move reflects a strategic and measured approach to the establishment of new universities, considering the financial and staffing constraints faced by the government. The focus on skills empowerment indicates a commitment to providing quality education and training in specific fields that contribute to the development of the nation.
