FG issues licences to five new Universities

THE Federal Government has issued licenses to the five newly approved universities, warning them against running unapproved programmes in their various institutions.

The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie who handed over the licenses to the universities on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja, admonished them to endure the first five years which he said are usually difficult for new institutions.


Okojie also warned the new universities to adhere to the rules and regulations establishing them cautioning that government would no longer condone excesses of institutions across the country.

He cited an instance where a university advertised award of honorary degrees during its first matriculation, warning that such misplaced priority would attract severe sanction.

“I read in a newspaper recently where a university advertised for award of honorary degree at its matriculation ceremony. But I want to tell you, that is not right, you can only give award during convocation.”

The five newly approved universities are; Elizade University, Ondo State, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State; Mcpherson University, Ogun State and Southwestern University, Okun Owa, also in Ogun State.

At the presentation of the licenses to the universities, the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa’i urged them to remain dogged in their pursuit noting that a full license would be issued after three years of continued academic operation.

The Minister advised the management of the universities to report to the NUC on time if their board of trustees were going in different directions

Responding on behalf of the varsities, Chairman Board of Trustees of Elizade University, Chief Michael Ade_Ojo thanked NUC and the ministry and promised on behalf of others to keep to the guidelines.

He said “for me I decided to embark on this project because I believe I should add to the development of education in this country.

Ade-Ojo acknowledged that the future of university education rest on the shoulders of private universities operators.
Source; Vanguard