Connect with us

News

JUST IN: FG opposes N/Assembly’s proposals for 200 new varsities

Published

on

309 Views

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.

News

Lagos Fire Service Contains Warehouse Fire at Amuwo-Odofin Industrial Area (Photos)

Published

on

2 Views

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) responded to a distress call at 20:29 hours regarding a fire outbreak at an expansive warehouse located on Coker Market Road, Amuwo-Odofin Industrial Layout, Mile 2, Lagos.

Firefighting crews arrived the scene promptly at 20:40 hours. Firefighters from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, Okota, and Alausa Fire Stations were immediately mobilised to combat the blaze.

The affected warehouse was stocked with chemical materials stored in hundreds of 200-litre drums, posing significant risk.

Through swift and coordinated intervention, the fire was brought under control, preventing further escalation and damage to adjoining facilities. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.

The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained, as investigations are currently ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urges residents and business owners to adhere strictly to fire safety regulations at all times.

Continue Reading

News

Senator Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Human-Centered Approach to AI in Education on International Day of Education 2026

Published

on

5 Views

In a message issued to mark the International Day of Education, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, urged Nigerians and the global community to prioritize human agency amid the rise of artificial intelligence in learning environments.

This year’s observance, held annually on January 24 under United Nations auspices, carries the theme “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.”

The First Lady emphasized that education continues to serve as the most powerful instrument for equipping individuals with knowledge, values, creativity, and ethical judgment essential for success in a fast-changing, technology-driven era.

“As we embrace artificial intelligence and innovation, we must ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around,” Senator Tinubu stated.

“Humans must remain the drivers of AI, harnessing innovation while preserving the values that define us and sustain development.

”Highlighting Nigeria’s national priorities, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in quality and inclusive education that enables children and youth to develop critical thinking, act with responsibility, and approach the future with confidence and compassion.

The First Lady’s message aligns with broader global discussions on balancing technological advancement with the irreplaceable role of human insight in education systems.

She concluded her address with warm greetings:

“Happy International Day of Education 2026.

Continue Reading

News

Update on Fire outbreak at Sapid Container Terminal 2, Mile 2, Lagos; No Casualties Reported

Published

on

7 Views

Emergency responders successfully contained a fire outbreak at the No Sapid Container Terminal 2 area in Mile 2 on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with no loss of life or injuries recorded.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Eagle Squad, working alongside the Lagos State Fire Service, LRU Fire, and Nigeria Police, swiftly intervened to prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring structures.

According to a situation report issued by LASEMA Permanent Secretary Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the fire originated from a building behind the container terminal where multiple drums of chemicals and oils were stored — a factor that contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the flames.

While the fire was still raging at the time of the report due to the highly combustible materials involved, joint firefighting efforts continued throughout the day to bring it fully under control.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the extent of property damage or any potential environmental concerns arising from the incident, but the absence of casualties has been attributed to the prompt and coordinated response by the emergency teams.

Continue Reading

Trending