NEWS
47 New Varsities’ Proposal Clears Second Reading Hurdle
In a significant legislative move, Nigeria anticipates a potential surge in federal tertiary institutions, with the possibility of the tally of federal-owned universities reaching an impressive 99 in the near future.
The latest development comes as a bill proposing the establishment of 47 new universities has successfully passed through the crucial second reading phase.
Simultaneously, the legislative arena witnessed the advancement of approximately 56 bills to the second reading, all aimed at setting up Federal Medical Centres across diverse regions within the country.
As of now, Nigeria proudly hosts 52 federal universities, with several states accommodating more than one institution, showcasing the nation’s commitment to academic growth.
Furthermore, the House is deliberating several bills to establish approximately 32 Federal Colleges of Education, 11 Federal Colleges of Agriculture, and five additional Federal Polytechnics, supplementing the existing institutions.
In tandem with the 52 existing federal universities, Nigeria currently boasts 22 federal medical centres, 27 federal colleges of education, and 40 polytechnics, forming a robust educational landscape across the nation.
However, the journey towards expansion faced hurdles in the past.
Several bills that were passed during the 9th Assembly encountered obstacles either in garnering the necessary concurrence at the Senate to progress or in receiving the President’s signature.
Upon establishment, the upcoming institutions are slated to encompass a wide array of specialized disciplines.
Envisaged among these are Universities specializing in Science and Technology, Agriculture, Aviation, Medical studies, Engineering, and various other academic domains.
Recent findings have unveiled that the House is actively contemplating a range of bills aimed at setting up specialized institutions catering to various sectors.
These include proposals for the establishment of Colleges focused on Vocational and Skill Acquisition, Cancer Research, and Entrepreneurship.
A comprehensive examination of the House’s order paper, listing the institutions and pending bills under scrutiny, highlights Lagos State’s proactive stance in requesting the establishment of three new Federal Medical Centres.
During his address to the House members on December 30, 2023, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas highlighted the substantial legislative workload of the Green Chamber.
He emphasized the considerable volume of work undertaken, as the House received and meticulously reviewed a comprehensive total of 962 bills, 500 motions, and 153 petitions within the span of just six months.
As per the representative of Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, among the myriad bills under consideration, a notable 120 have successfully advanced through the rigorous process of the second reading.
In a statement made last year, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, highlighted a crucial factor contributing to the decline in the quality of tertiary education.
He emphasized the detrimental impact of establishing universities without a well-defined funding structure.
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued an abducted farmer, Nafi’u Abubakar Sarki, as security operatives continue efforts to locate 10 other farmers abducted by armed bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The rescue operation followed the abduction of 11 farmers at Kamfanin Madam Village, according to the police operational update issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The police said tactical teams, working alongside local vigilantes, traced the escape route used by the suspected bandits in an effort to locate the victims.
SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Bandits in Police Net in Katsina
“Police Tactical Teams and local vigilantes successfully traced the escape route of armed bandits who abducted 11 farmers at Kamfanin Madam Village, Maru LGA,” the statement said.
It added that “one of the abducted victims, Nafi’u Abubakar Sarki, was safely rescued unharmed, while operations continue for the rescue of the remaining victims.”
The police identified the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Gusau as the unit investigating the incident.
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for 2027, has urged the South-East to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration based on verifiable projects and measurable results rather than political propaganda.
Showunmi made the call in a statement posted on X on Saturday, urging Nigerians to evaluate the government’s performance based on infrastructure delivery, funds committed to projects and their impact on communities.
He said federal infrastructure initiatives targeting the South-East under Tinubu’s administration deserved serious scrutiny and factual assessment, adding that unfulfilled promises should continue to be pursued until the expected results were delivered.
SEE ALSO: 2027 Election: ‘Look Beyond the Noise’ – Showunmi Urges Nigerians to Give Tinubu More Time
“Our message is clear: We will not trade facts for propaganda, nor accountability for political loyalty!” he said.
The political figure challenged critics of the administration to provide evidence to support their claims, while urging those defending the government to present the projects and demonstrate their impact.
He also called on government officials to publish relevant figures, disclose project timelines and provide measurable results, insisting that no public official should be exempt from scrutiny.
According to Showunmi, the South-East deserves infrastructure that supports economic growth, including roads that connect markets, investments that create jobs and policies that expand economic opportunities.
He maintained that political representation must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, stressing that public office should deliver value to the people.
As part of his call to action, Showunmi urged Nigerians to scrutinise government records, challenge misinformation with evidence and demand the completion of outstanding projects.
He further called for public commitments to be matched by measurable delivery, arguing that leadership should be assessed by facts and results rather than political rhetoric.
Ending his statement with the slogan, “Asiwaju is a goal,” Showunmi called for accountability and greater inclusion of the South-East in Nigeria’s development.
Showunmi is associated with The Alternative and is a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Saturday announced a temporary road closure near Apostolic Church, inward Toll Gate, to allow engineers to install a beam on a height-restriction structure.
The agency said the installation was aimed at preventing high-rise trailers from accessing the newly constructed pedestrian bridge.
ALSO READ: LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road
“Currently, one lane has been occupied to facilitate the ongoing construction work, while the remaining two lanes are available to motorists,” LASTMA stated.
The agency advised road users to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of its personnel deployed to the area.
“Road users are advised to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of our personnel who are on ground to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular movement,” the statement added.
LASTMA also urged motorists to remain patient while the installation work continued.
“Motorists are encouraged to exercise patience while the installation work is in progress,” the agency stated.
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