THE Federal Government yesterday approved eight new private universities in Nigeria to bring the number of private universities in the country from 61 to 69.

This followed a memo approved by the National Universities Commission, NUC, and presented to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, Wednesday.

With this development, the number of universities in Nigeria has increased from 143 to 151, while the number of private universities has risen to 69 from 61. The eight universities and their promoters include Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, owned by Deeper Christian Life Ministry; Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River, engineered by the Clitter House Nigeria Limited; Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia, owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church; Coal City University, Enugu, operated by African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, Enugu; Crown-Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara, floated by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited; Dominican University, Ibadan, the brainchild of Order of Preachers, Nigerian Dominican Community; Kola Daisi University, Ibadan came from Kola Daisi Foundation and Legacy University, Okija, promoted by  The Good Idea Education Foundation.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka, said the reason for the approval was to give the teeming youths the opportunity to acquire university education.

Photo: Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Life , second left, recently at the Presidency with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Anwuka who was joined by his counterparts in Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: “The Ministry of Education submitted a memo to Council this morning seeking approval for eight private universities as recommended by NUC after very serious comprehensive and exhaustive compliance to the conditions that warrant such approval”.

According to him, the new universities would be supervised by the older universities within their zone for a period of three years to assist them put necessary infrastructure in place, adding that the supervision was in sync with the law.

He said: “While approving these universities for licensing provisionally for three years, the Universities should be mentored by some existing older Universities in Nigeria.  Anchor University will be mentored by University of Lagos, Akoka; Arthur Jarvis University will be mentored by University of Calabar; Cliffored will be mentored by University of Agriculture, Umudike; Coal City University will be mentored by University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Crown-Hill University will be mentored by University of Ilorin; Dominican University will be mentored by University of Ibadan; Kola Daisi University will mentored by University of Ibadan while Legacy University will be mentored by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.”