The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured that it has no intention of handing over public universities to private investors. This clarification was made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during the Second Quarterly Engagement of the ministry with Heads of units and Chief Executive Officers of parastatals and agencies under the ministry.
Responding to concerns raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) about a purported plan to transfer federal universities to private investors through Public-Private Partnerships, Prof. Mamman refuted these claims. He emphasized that the government’s policy is focused on transnational education, which aims to open up Nigeria’s tertiary education system to global investment and participation.
Transnational education, according to Prof. Mamman, is about inviting people from around the world to invest in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. This initiative is designed to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities without selling them off to private entities. He noted that while the private sector plays a significant role in the provision of tertiary education, as evidenced by the number of private universities in the country, the government remains committed to its public institutions.
Prof. Mamman stressed the importance of allowing international universities to establish themselves in Nigeria, either independently or in collaboration with local institutions. This approach aims to raise educational standards and bring financial benefits to the country. He pointed out that countries in Asia have successfully leveraged international institutions to improve their educational standards and economic gains.
The minister highlighted that the engagement with heads of agencies and parastatals was to review progress, address challenges, and reaffirm the government’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape in Nigeria.