A bill proposing the establishment of 47 new federal-owned universities in Nigeria has successfully passed the second reading, potentially increasing the total to 99.
Simultaneously, about 56 bills advocating for the creation of Federal Medical Centres across different regions have also progressed to the second reading.
Currently, Nigeria hosts 52 federal universities, with several states having more than one.
The legislative agenda also includes proposals for the establishment of 32 Federal Colleges of Education, 11 Federal Colleges of Agriculture, and five Federal Polytechnics, in addition to the existing institutions.
Despite some bills being passed in the 9th Assembly, they either lacked the necessary concurrence at the Senate or were not signed by the President.
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The envisioned institutions encompass various fields such as Universities of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Aviation, Medicals, and Engineering.
Additionally, the House is exploring bills for Colleges of Vocational and Skill Acquisition, Cancer Research, and Entrepreneurship.
An examination of the House order paper highlights requests from different states, including Lagos, which seeks the establishment of three new Federal Medical Centres in addition to the existing one.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in his address on December 30, 2023, disclosed that the House had received and considered 962 bills, 500 motions, and 153 petitions in six months.
Out of these, 120 bills have passed the second reading and are under review for further legislative actions.
However, concerns have been raised by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, regarding the establishment of universities without a clear funding template.
He cited this as a factor contributing to the declining standard of tertiary education in the country.
Osodeke also highlighted issues with the government’s appointment and recruitment methods for state-owned universities.
In response to the proliferation of universities without adequate funding, the Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Stanley Ogoun, called for urgent amendments to the National Universities’ Commission Act.
This would prevent governors from establishing new universities without ensuring sufficient funding, safeguarding the interests of existing institutions.
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