The Minister of State for Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, has advised the National Assembly to prioritise funding for existing tertiary institutions rather than establishing new ones.
Alausa made the call in a memorandum presented at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education on Thursday in Abuja.
The hearing was convened to consider three bills before the committee. They include:
A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Hawul Local Government Area, Borno (HB.1797);
A Bill to Amend Section 3(2)(b), the Second Schedule, and Section 31 of the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (HB.1413);
A Bill to Amend the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, to review the functions of polytechnics (HB.2114).
The minister opposed the bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Hawul, saying the Federal Government adheres to a policy of equitable distribution of institutions.
He said the policy stipulates that no state should host more than one federal polytechnic, while ensuring that each state has at least one.
“With limited resources, government efforts should be channelled towards strengthening existing institutions to deliver quality education rather than creating new ones,” Alausa said.
He added that the ministry had expanded avenues for the establishment of private tertiary institutions and encouraged states and individuals to utilise those channels to support national development.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to improving access to quality education. However, this must be done in a way that ensures sustainability and effective service delivery,” he said.
The House Committee is expected to consider the minister’s position during further legislative deliberations.
