The Federal Government has announced a delay in the operations of the newly approved universities by the past administration. Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, disclosed this after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. The delay is due to the recognition of the funding needed for effective and efficient educational programs for these universities.
The former President Muhammadu Buhari administration had approved the licensing of 37 new universities in the country just days before handing over power. Mamman stated that President Tinubu felt their commencement should be staggered. This doesn’t mean these universities will be scrapped; instead, they will be evaluated based on their areas of strength and their advantages to the students.
The focus of the new administration in education will be on the skills that these institutions can impart to the youth. The government aims for universities where students can graduate with skills that are not only beneficial to them but also contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth.
Additionally, the government is addressing challenges faced by states in accessing the Universal Basic Education Board funds. The President has approved a review of the funding to facilitate quicker and easier access to the funds by states.
The Minister also mentioned that pending issues between the federal government and staff of tertiary institutions are being discussed with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Furthermore, President Tinubu has approved the convocation of an education stakeholders’ conference scheduled for Thursday in Abuja. This conference aims to chart a new course for the education sector in the country, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a related development, the former governor of Nasarawa state, Tanko Al-Makura, visited the President. Al-Makura expressed solidarity and congratulated the President on the various reforms intended to revamp the economic and security sectors. He urged Nigerians to be patient, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to ensuring citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.