The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, has praised the federal government’s decision to suspend the establishment of new universities for the next seven years, describing it as a bold and necessary step for the growth of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking at the Adankolo campus during an interactive session with journalists on Thursday, Professor Akinwumi said the moratorium offers the government an opportunity to channel resources towards adequately funding existing institutions, particularly newer universities still grappling with developmental challenges.
“We commend the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, for this decision. It is the best thing to do. Within these seven years, the federal government should focus on strengthening the existing universities. Institutions like ours are still struggling to grow, but the needed funds are not always available,” he said.
The FUL VC lamented that some universities graduate students without them being taught by professors, a situation he described as unhealthy for the education system. He expressed optimism that the renewed focus on existing institutions would help address such gaps.
On the ongoing recruitment exercise at FUL, Professor Akinwumi revealed that the federal government has approved the employment of 350 personnel for the institution—comprising 253 academic staff, 89 non-academic staff, and seven medical staff. The recruitment, he noted, received clearance from the Office of the Director-General of the Budget, in line with the new policy that no university can hire without such approval.
“When we assumed office, we had only four faculties. Today, by the grace of God and with the federal government’s support, we have grown to 12 faculties. However, many of our new programmes are short on manpower, so 75 percent of the new hires will be deployed to the new faculties to boost teaching and learning,” he explained.
Professor Akinwumi assured that the recruitment process—part of the 2024 allocation—will be transparent and merit-based, giving every applicant a fair opportunity to prove their competence.