By Basanya Sulaimon (Siwes student, Efon Poly)
A bill aiming to establish 47 additional federal universities in Nigeria has successfully passed its second reading, potentially increasing the total number of federal-owned universities to 99.
Concurrently, multiple bills for the establishment of Federal Medical Centres in various regions, Federal Colleges of Education, Federal Colleges of Agriculture, and Federal Polytechnics are also under consideration.
The legislative push comes after the Speaker of the House of Representatives reported the review of 962 bills, 500 motions, and 153 petitions within a six-month period.
However, concerns have been raised by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities regarding the lack of a funding template for new institutions and issues in the appointment and recruitment processes.
