Govt approves 9 new private universities

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved nine new private universities for the country.

The approval was given at a meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, announced the decision at a post-FEC press briefing.

The new private universities, according to Chidoka, include Hallmark University, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Kings University, Mountain Top University, Augustine University, Chrisland University and Summit University among others.

While briefing State House Correspondents on the development, Education Minister, Ibrahim Shekarau, said the government has no control over fees charged by private universities.

Shekarau explained that like private hospitals or nursery schools, owners of private universities are free to charge fees that would give returns on their investments.

He, however, said the concern of government was to ensure that the schools are of the required standards in terms of facilities and staffing, among others.