FG alone cannot provide quality university education – Buhari

As it approves 6 private universities

President Muhammadu Buhari, has urged the organized private sector to play prominent role in providing quality university education, saying “government could not do it alone.”

He also urged all the universities in the country to justify Federal Government’s investment in them by striving to raise standards.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Onwuka, made the call during the 47th Convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu state.

He acknowledged that universities had the potential and responsibility of training the human capital to drive various government initiatives.

President Muhammadu Buhari

He said: “Indeed government is mindful of the social role of universities in the uplifting of the socio-economic life of our country.

“Government will continue to give support to enable our universities to achieve the objectives which they were established.

“Universities on their own are expected to reciprocate the noble gesture of the Federal Government by striving at all time to measure up to the required standard to justify the monumental investment in them.

“The organised private sector should play prominent role in helping government to achieve quality education, since government cannot shoulder the financial responsibility alone.”

Those conferred with honorary doctorate degrees during the event were Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111; Chairman of Zenith Bank, Chief Jim Ovia and former governor of Abia, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.

The Sultan of Sokoto was conferred with honourary Doctor of Law, Kalu, Doctor of Public Administration and Ovia bagged Doctor of Business Administration.

Federal Government has approved the establishment of six new private universities in the country.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday 6/12/2017 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu listed names of universities to State House correspondents after the meeting. They are: Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta State, Spiritan University, Nneochi, Abia State, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Atiba University, Oyo State and Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences Lagos.