The Senate has suspended all bills seeking to establish new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
The action is in line with the Federal Government's policy
which placed a ban on creation of new tertiary institutions for the next five
to seven years.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, announced the directive
during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the Clerk of the National Assembly and all relevant
committees have been instructed to stop further work on such bills.
Bamidele explained that the policy is aimed at strengthening
existing institutions before establishing new ones. He appealed to senators to
respect the government's position and suspend bills seeking new universities in
their constituencies.
In his contribution, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said
President Bola Tinubu had personally discussed the issue with the leadership of
the National Assembly.
According to Akpabio, the President is not in support of
establishing new universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions at
the moment, so that existing ones can have enough time to develop their
infrastructure and commence full academic activities.
He expressed concern that many universities established
recently only exist on paper, as some are yet to secure permanent sites or
complete site clearance.
"Establishing a university is a serious national
responsibility and should not be treated with the same simplicity as
establishing primary schools," Akpabio stated.
He said the Federal Government has made efforts to
distribute federal tertiary institutions across all parts of the country and
what is needed now is consolidation of those investments.
Following the deliberation, Akpabio directed the clerk to
ensure that no bill for new tertiary institutions is listed on the Order Paper
henceforth.
The Senate thereafter adjourned plenary till November 10.
The implication is that over 200 bills currently before the
National Assembly seeking creation of new universities and polytechnics will be
stalled or abandoned.
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