According to Vanguard News, In a move that has been met with mixed reactions, state governors have announced plans to create new universities in their respective states in order to access funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). This decision was made during a meeting between the governors and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
According to ASUU, this move by the governors is a blatant disregard for the welfare of lecturers and students. The union argues that instead of creating new universities, the governors should focus on improving the existing ones and providing better working conditions for lecturers.
On the other hand, the governors have defended their decision, stating that creating new universities will increase access to tertiary education for their citizens and also bring in more funds for development. They also claim that these new universities will specialize in different fields and cater to the specific needs of their states.
The announcement of these new universities has raised concerns about the quality of education and the potential dilution of resources. Many fear that the funds allocated to these new universities may not be used effectively and could further widen the gap between the quality of education in state and federal universities.
ASUU has called for a thorough review of this decision and urged the governors to prioritize the development of existing universities instead of creating more. The union has also threatened to go on strike if the governors do not reconsider their plans.
With the current state of the education sector in Nigeria, it is important for the government and stakeholders to work together to find sustainable solutions that will benefit both lecturers and students. Creating new universities may seem like a quick fix, but it is important to consider the long-term impact it may have on the already struggling education system.