‘No new universities for 7 years’ – Senate blocks bills after Tinubu’s directive

The Senate has suspended all bills seeking to establish new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.

The action is in line with the Federal Government’s policy which placed a ban on creation of new tertiary institutions for the next five to seven years.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the directive during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the Clerk of the National Assembly and all relevant committees have been instructed to stop further work on such bills.

Bamidele explained that the policy is aimed at strengthening existing institutions before establishing new ones. He appealed to senators to respect the government’s position and suspend bills seeking new universities in their constituencies.

In his contribution, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said President Bola Tinubu had personally discussed the issue with the leadership of the National Assembly.

According to Akpabio, the President is not in support of establishing new universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions at the moment, so that existing ones can have enough time to develop their infrastructure and commence full academic activities.

He expressed concern that many universities established recently only exist on paper, as some are yet to secure permanent sites or complete site clearance.

“Establishing a university is a serious national responsibility and should not be treated with the same simplicity as establishing primary schools,” Akpabio stated.

He said the Federal Government has made efforts to distribute federal tertiary institutions across all parts of the country and what is needed now is consolidation of those investments.

Following the deliberation, Akpabio directed the clerk to ensure that no bill for new tertiary institutions is listed on the Order Paper henceforth.

The Senate thereafter adjourned plenary till November 10.

The implication is that over 200 bills currently before the National Assembly seeking creation of new universities and polytechnics will be stalled or abandoned.