The 10th National Assembly has seen 32 measures in the Senate and House of Representatives to establish new universities, polytechnics, and institutions of education.
However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other experts cautioned the government against establishing new institutions while failing to fund current ones.
There are 52 federal universities in Nigeria. According to official data from the National Universities Commission, the country has 63 public universities and 147 private institutions.
According to the National Board for Technical Education, there are 40 federal polytechnics, 49 state-owned polytechnics, and 76 private polytechnics.
There are 70 federal and state-owned colleges of health; while the number of private colleges of health is 17.
In addition, the National Commission for Colleges of Education estimates that Nigeria has 219 colleges of education.
The analysis of the bills found that the Speaker of the House led the pack. The Speaker advocated for the creation of the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna, which received its first reading on July 6, 2023. Similarly, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, advocated for the development of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, in Abia State.
There are also bills proposing the establishment of the Federal University of Information and Communications Technology, Lagos Island; the Federal University of Agriculture, Ute Okpa in Delta State; the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Benue State; the Federal College of Health Sciences, Gaya; the Federal College of Dental Technology, Faggae; the Federal College of Agriculture, Agila in Benue State; Federal College of Education, Dangi-Kanam, Plateau State; Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State.
There is also Benjamin Kalu Federal Polytechnic, Rano, Kano State; Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, Plateau State, among others.
Lawmakers propose 32 additional federal varsities
