By Charity Michael & Rasaq Akintaju

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Stakeholders have applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving 22 new universities, 33 new polytechnics and monotechnics, alongside 12 new colleges of education across the country between late 2024 and 2025.

The stakeholders who spoke with The Hope included Dr. Oladapo Iwala, from the Department of Agricultural Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo; Dr Adebowale Akinbami and Dr. John Oyewole from the Department of Mass Communication, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

Dr Iwala stated that approving new higher institutions in a country like Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million people, would bring education closer to the people, unlike in the 1970s and 1980s when students struggled to gain admission into the few higher institutions then.

He further highlighted the benefits of this development, saying, “The literacy rate of the country will continue to increase, more people will be educated, and education will be at the doorstep of more people.”

He, however, urged the government to enhance and encourage technical education in polytechnics and vocational schools, considering that technical courses are highly marketable in this technology-driven 21st century.

Similarly, Dr. Akinbami noted that the establishment of new higher institutions ensures availability of more job opportunities, as well as improving the socio-economic condition of the host communities.

“The making of higher institutions around the world is essentially to build manpower towards building a civilized and developed society,” he stated.

However, Akinbami emphasized the government’s responsibility towards quality education and urged the government to “never slacken in the area of re-direction of national educational policy and philosophy, effective funding of the system and strict quality mechanism control.”

Likewise, Dr. Oyewole, a lecture, said, “the establishment of higher institutions will give many the opportunity to be educated, as the number of higher institutions available in the country now is limited, considering the population of the country.”

However, he urged Nigerians not to abuse this given opportunity, as they tend to abuse every opportunity.