Fund Existing Universities Better Instead of Approving New Ones, Counsels Education Minister

The Minister of Education has emphasized the need for the National Assembly to prioritize allocation of funds to established institutions, rather than diverting resources to create new ones.

This stance was conveyed during a recent public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education.

The hearing centered on discussions surrounding three proposed bills, including the establishment of a new college focused on entrepreneurship and skills acquisition in Borno State.

However, the Minister expressed reservations about this initiative, citing the federal government’s policy of ensuring equitable distribution of institutions across states.

Currently, all states except two have at least one federal polytechnic, and the Minister argued that efforts should be concentrated on strengthening these existing institutions to provide quality education. With limited resources available and cautioned against spreading them too thin by establishing new institutions.

Instead, the Minister suggested that private individuals and states should be encouraged to establish their own tertiary institutions, leveraging the expanded avenues provided by the Federal Ministry of Education.

This approach would support national educational development while alleviating the burden on the federal government.

Regarding the proposed amendments to the Federal Polytechnics Act, the Minister raised concerns about the inclusion of certain representatives on the Governing Council of Polytechnics, citing potential conflicts of interest.

Proponents of the new college, however, argued that it would address pressing issues of insecurity and unemployment in Borno State by providing training programs tailored to the modern job market.

The proposed institution aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in the region.

The Committee Chairman acknowledged the importance of skills acquisition in tackling unemployment and encouraged stakeholders to contribute to the discussion.

The committee will carefully consider all submissions before compiling its report, which is expected to have a significant impact on access to knowledge and skills in various fields of education.