President Bola Tinubu, Monday, approved provisional licences for 11 new private universities in the country.
The approved universities, as disclosed after the Federal Executive Council meeting, include: New City University, Ayetoro Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi, Abuja; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annex; and Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State.
Others are Southern Atlantic University Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State; Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos; and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who read out the list shortly after the meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, explained that the administration remained committed to expanding the frontiers of educational opportunities and infrastructure.
The latest approvals come despite concerns from some quarters about the proliferation of universities in the country. Alausa said despite a moratorium on the creation of universities, the eleven new university applications had been pending with the National Universities Commission (NUC), hence their approval by the President.
The approval was disclosed after the FEC meeting.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the approval was informed by the need to safeguard investment in the sector, stressing that the satellites would provide real-time information and activities going on at the mining sites.
“We are procuring satellite equipment, satellite gadgets that will be installed in strategic places all over the country that would enable us to have a visual effect, real-time of the operations that are ongoing in sites all over the country.
“And, of course, there will be a centre like a screen, which will be in the operation centre, the mines martial centre, and in my office as well.
“So, at a glance at the click of a button, you can surf to any mine site you want, and see the operations going on there, and see the volume of the mineral that is extracted, the number of trucks that are going out, and, of course, the security situation in the environment. That is the essence of the memo that was approved today. And the satellite gadget will be supplied to us at the cost of N2.5 billion.”
He noted that illegal mining had cost the nation trillions of naira, but revealed that the council had approved a new initiative to enhance regulation and curb revenue losses in the sector.
