Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The number of private universities in Nigeria has risen to 79, following the issuance of provisional, operation licence to four new universities.
The new universities, Greenfield university, Kasarami, Kaduna state; Dominion University, Ibadan, Oyo state; Trinity university, Laloko, Ogun state; and Westland University, Iwo, Osun, received their provisional operational licences, in Abuja, yesterday.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on January 9, approved the establishment of the new universities, after they met the minimum criteria for establishment of private university in Nigeria.
Provisional licences allow for effective mentoring and qualitative growth within the first three years of operations. During the period, they would be attached to older generation federal universities for academic and administrative mentoring.
The institutions get their substantive licence if they are adjudged as being well governed, after three years of probation, following their respective performance and growth within the guidelines stipulated by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The mentor institutions are expected to guide and advise the new institutions on appointment of governing council, recruitment of principal officers, staff development, external examination moderation, quality assurance activities among several others.
Minister of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, handed the provisional licences to representatives of the school at a brief ceremony held at NUC headquarters in Abuja.