Abuja—The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a total of 33 private universities within 16 months, from January 2021 and April 2022.
According to the Punch, this was revealed in data obtained from the National Universities Commission on Friday.
It was reported that while 21 out of the 33 private universities established were approved in 2021; 12 were approved during the present strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The total number of universities in Nigeria before the establishment of the 33 universities, stood at 186 comprising 49 federal universities; 59 state universities, and 78 private universities.
The following are some of the private universities approved in 2021; Opfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom; Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara; Maranatha University, Mgbidi, Imo; Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa; Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano; Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo; Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River; and Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo.
Others are NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna; Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau.; James Hope University, Lagos; Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano; Capital City University, Kano; Ahman Pategi University, Kwara; University of Offa, Kwara; Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa; Edusoko University, Bida, Niger; Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja and Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa, among others
Whereas Private universities established in 2022 include Pen Resource University, Gombe, Gombe State; Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State; Margaret Lawrence I -University, Delta State; Khalifa Ishaku Rabiu University, Kano; Sports University Idumuje Ugboko, Delta State;
Others are Bala Ahmed University, Kano; Saisa University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Sokoto State; Nigerian-British University Hasa, Abia State; Peter University Acina-Onene, Anambra State; Newgate University, Minna, Niger State; European University of Nigeria in Duboyi, Abuja and North-West University, Sokoto.
The ongoing strike by ASUU which started on Monday, February 14, 2022, entered its 180th day on Saturday, making it the second longest strike since return to democracy in 1999. The longest strike ever was in 2020 under the regime of Muhammadu Buhari.
