FG imposes moratorium on establishment of new Universtities
..600,000 students benefit from NELFUN loans
The Federal Government have put on hold the approval and establishment of new Federal Universities in the country.
At the last count,Nigeria has a total of 286 universities, 69 of which are Federal Universities and numerous state and private universities.
It will be recalled that last week the Minister of education,Morufu Tunji Alausa announced approval of eleven private universities in the country.
The decision to put a stop to establishment of new universities ,senior government officials confirmed early this week, was as a result of pressures mounted on Education Minister, Alausa,by the House education committee alarmed by establishment of new universities even as the federal government is facing funding problems for existing universities.
It was gathered that at the last count,there are 30 bills seeking the creation of new universities from various states and communities in the country through their representatives.
Only two weeks ago,the Academic Staff Union of Universities,ASUU issued strike notice over failure of federal government to implement the agreement signed with the ASUU on University funding and development of infrastructures.
However,in spite of this,various interest groups have been mounting pressures on the Federal government.
Alausa however confirmed that the application for private universities which are in different stages of approval will proceed.
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Establishment of new universities is seen as an opportunity to attract development to areas and communities where such institutions are located because of the presence of students from various parts of the country.
The National Education Loan Fund,NELFUND has granted loans in form of payment of tuition fees and monthly to over 600,000 students in the country.
“THIS is the first time since the Obafemi Awolowo era that students benefited from government intervention like payment of bursary to students.
The students are not expected to start paying back the loan until they finish their course and start working.
