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JUST IN: FG opposes N/Assembly’s proposals for 200 new varsities
The federal government has expressed opposition to the proposals by the National Assembly for creation of nearly 200 new universities in the country.
It said with almost 200 bills in the National Assembly for establishment of new universities, there is a growing concern that the system is becoming overwhelmed.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja yesterday during the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing.
The country currently has 278 universities, 64 of which are federal; 67, state; and 147, private.
The government had, last month, announced a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities “to enhance the quality and sustainability of private universities, ensuring that only institutions with the necessary financial and academic capacity are granted licenses.”
The minister yesterday emphasised that strengthening the capacities of the existing universities is more important than establishing new ones.
He said: “They (lawmakers) are passing a lot of bills. Today, I can tell you that there are almost 200 bills in the National Assembly. We can’t continue like this.
Even though we have a lot of them, the capacity for a university to admit is not there. What we need to do now is to rebuild the capacities so that we can offer more viable courses to our citizens.
“We need to stop this (the 200 bills for new universities) from happening. There is so much pressure on the president. We have to, at least, be sensitive to it as well.
“I understand the sentiment of our legislators. They want to show that they are working. We know they are working. But then, we have enough assets, we have enough opportunities out there for students to go to universities.
“What we now need to do is to begin to mobilise more resources to develop infrastructures, build engineering workshops, build laboratories in these universities, recruit international standard teachers, so that we can begin to get these universities to develop, to deliver high quality of education that will be known for as a country.
“Today, if you care to know, we have 64 federal universities, 67 state universities and 147 private universities.
If you look at the entire enrolment together, the private universities account for just 7.5% of total undergraduate enrolment.
I will tell you the meaning of the number. The total number of undergraduate enrolments today is just about 875,000, which is, at least, fairly low.
“We have universities with less than 1,000 undergraduate students, and there is this intense demand for more universities to be opened. We have to stop that.”
however, it is not only the legislators that are obsessed with pushing for the establishing of universities as constituency project or for status symbol.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to pilot national communal ranches in six locations as part of efforts to modernize the livestock sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (especially methane from livestock), boost productivity, and help resolve farmer-herder conflicts.
The selected pilot sites are Adamawa State, Benue State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Plateau State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy for climate-smart livestock production and improved feed and fodder systems.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, revealed the plans while restating the administration’s commitment to moving away from open grazing toward structured ranching. He highlighted plans for large-scale fodder production supported by solar-powered irrigation, micro earth dams, and upgraded grazing reserves.
According to the minister, land allocation for these national communal ranches is expected to be finalized ahead of the next rainy season. “This is no longer about theory. It is time for boots on the ground,” Maiha said, pointing to Nigeria’s available land, political will, and partnerships as key drivers to transform the sector while addressing climate change, security concerns, and food system challenges.
The development marks a significant step in implementing the National Ranching Policy and related reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The goal is to establish sustainable, conflict-free livestock hubs that create economic opportunities across the value chain.
While some stakeholders have welcomed the move as a practical step toward modernizing pastoralism, previous attempts at similar initiatives have received mixed reactions. Further details on implementation, timelines, and funding are expected in the coming months.
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Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor Murder Suspects’ Hearing adjourn February 9-11
Aside from the killing of the Arise News Anchor, they are charged with armed robbery involving other residents at the estate where Somtochukwu was killed.
Photo: Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor and lawyer
The FCT High Court Abuja has slated three days hearing for suspects that killed Somtochukwu Maduagwu, Arise News Anchor and lawyer.
Ohibaba.com learned that the matter is adjourned to 9, 10 and 12 February, 2026 for definite hearing.
The suspects were arraigned on amended Charges filed on 10th January before the FCT High Court.
Aside from the killing of the Arise News Anchor, they are charged with armed robbery involving other residents at the estate where Somtochukwu was killed.
All of them pleaded not guilty.
Defendants to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility.
News
Suicide bomber Kills Five Soldiers in Borno Waylaid
Security sources said that the attack occurred as troops were returning from a successful clearance operation that dislodged several insurgent camps and neutralised many fighters.
Five soldiers were killed while several others sustained injuries when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military convoy at the Timbuktu Triangle axis of Borno State.
Security sources said that the attack occurred Tuesday as troops were returning from a successful clearance operation that dislodged several insurgent camps and neutralised many fighters.
Two senior officers, a Major and a Lieutenant, were among those affected.
The military has yet to issue an official statement, as clearance operations are still ongoing in the area.
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