National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the take-off of two new specialised universities in Lagos State as recently approved by the state House of Assembly.
The universities are Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) with campuses in Ijanikin and Epe and Lagos State University of Science and Technology with campuses in Ikorodu, Isolo and Surulere.
Read Also: Just In: Lagos Upgrades LASPOTECH, Two Colleges Of Education To University Status
They were established through the upgrade of two existing institutions, Lagos State Polytechnic and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Lagos respectively.
Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, presented the operational licences for the two universities to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the NUC Headquarters in Abuja yesterday.
The NUC boss, who said the two additional universities have raised the number from 203 to 205, added that the present figure was still not enough when compared to the over 200 million Nigerians.
He expressed that despite the increasing number of private universities in the country as against state and federal universities, they could only account for 5.06 per cent of students in the nation’s ivory towers, leaving the remaining 94 percent in public universities.
Read Also: Sanwo-Olu Signs Bills Establishing Two Additional Universities In Lagos
Justifying NUC’s decision to approve University of Education, Ijanikin/Epe and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Rasheed said unlike some other states that had failed to manage their existing institutions well, Lagos has been exceptional in the running of Lagos State University (LASU) for the past 39 years.
Prof. Rasheed hinted that with the approval of the two new universities’ letters would be forwarded to Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for necessary action.
On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who expressed happiness over the approval of the new universities.
He said the University of Education was an upgrade and merging of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), while the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) was converted to University of Science and Technology.
The governor said the new universities would provide massive opportunity for individuals seeking university education in the state.
He expressed;
Record has shown every year, even with our best efforts, we still find it difficult to meet the demands of our teeming youths who are craving for higher education, who are the future leaders. Who want to be a reference point not only for themselves, not only for their family but for our nation.
While assuring of the readiness of the government to support the new schools to deliver on their mandate, Sanwo-Olu said one of the new institutions already has about 60 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) holders, adding that Nigerians should expect the best from the new institutions as they are located in centre of excellence.
