Through the National institutions Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria has authorized 147 private institutions as of November 27, 2023.
These establishments coexist with universities that are owned, respectively, by the federal and state governments.
The country’s private university population increased from three in 1999 to 147 in 2023 as a result of persistent labor disputes, inadequate funding, and the decay of public education. The NUC reports that it has over 270 outstanding requests for the creation of new private universities.
According to our correspondent’s analysis of the private universities using information retrieved from the NUC website on Tuesday, the majority of these institutions are funded by religious organizations in addition to current and former politicians.
PUNCH website examines a few of the private universities that the Nigerian political elite has promoted in this article.
1. Bells University, Ogun state: Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, formed this organization. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, a former senator from Ogun Central, and Ibrahim Dakwambo, a former governor of Gombe state, are also members of the institution’s board.
2. American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa state: Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the general elections of 2023, owns this school.
3. Amaj University, Kwali, Abuja: Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto state, is the owner of this establishment. The university is among the newest private universities in the nation, having obtained its license in 2023.
4. Hensard University, Bayelsa state: Similar to Amaj University, Hensard is a recently licensed private university in Nigeria, owned by Seriake Dickson, a former governor of the state of Bayelsa.
5. PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Rivers state: The first private medical university in Nigeria, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, was founded by Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers State. Additionally, the organization is represented by Senator Abu Ibrahim of Katsina South and former military administrator Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar on its board of directors.
6. Baze University, Abuja: Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former senator and the Labour Party’s vice presidential nominee in the 2023 presidential race, founded the University of Baze in Abuja.
7. Eastern Palms University, Imo state: Rochas Okorocha, the founder of this organization, was a senator and former governor of Imo state, serving in the ninth Senate representing the Imo West senatorial constituency.
8. Edwin Clark University: Edwin Clark, the founder of Edwin Clark University, is an elder statesman and former federal commissioner of information.
9. Sports University, Delta State: Ned Nwoko, a senator currently serving, is the owner of the first private university of sports. In 2021, he was granted permission to operate the facility.
Meanwhile, politicians from the past and present have held positions on the boards of trustees and governing councils at a few other private colleges.
For example, Remi Tinubu, the First Lady at the moment and a former senator from Lagos West senatorial district, serves on the board of trustees at Kings University in Odemu, Osun state.
Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo state, is a member of the Achievers University board of trustees.
The governing council of Nile University, located in Abuja, is composed of senators Osita Izunaso, representing the Imo West senatorial district, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
Sam Ohuabunwa, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party, serves as the chairman of the Gregory University Uturu council in the state of Abia.
Greenfield University, situated in Kaduna, features Muhammad Usman, a former member of the Eighth House of Representatives, among other members on its board.
