FG approves creation of 37 private varsities — total now 72

The special federal executive council meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the establishment of 37 new private universities in Nigeria.

Adamu Adamu, the minister of education, announced the development on Monday after the FEC meeting in Abuja.

He said the approval brings the number of private universities in the country to 72.

The minister said the approval was granted after considering the importance of education in bolstering the economic fortunes of Nigeria.

Also speaking, Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, said the federal government has recorded a rise in school enrollment nationwide — but she failed to provide specific numbers.

Farouq said the government aims to enrol every out-of-school child by 2030.

She said the government has approved a budget of over ₦14 billion to train beneficiaries of the N-Power project.

The minister said the council also approved a policy on the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) which seeks to address the issues of education, health, social protection and agriculture.

Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment, similarly said FEC approved the implementation of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.

The act, he affirmed, makes comprehensive provisions for payment of compensation to employees who suffer from occupational diseases or sustain injuries arising from accidents at the workplace or in the course of employment.

He said the council also directed the attorney-general to avail the states circulars of the approved memo.