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| Atiku |
Nigeria’s higher education sector
over populated –Atiku
over populated –Atiku
By Uji Abdullahi Ilyasu
Abuja
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February general elections, Atiku
Abubakar has said that Nigeria’s higher education sector was over weighed by
population explosion, and therefore suggested the establishment of more
tertiary institutions across the country to cope with the country’s population.
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February general elections, Atiku
Abubakar has said that Nigeria’s higher education sector was over weighed by
population explosion, and therefore suggested the establishment of more
tertiary institutions across the country to cope with the country’s population.
He stated this at a public hearing on a bill to establish
Modibbo Adama University, Yola, held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja
Thursday.
Modibbo Adama University, Yola, held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja
Thursday.
The bill passed second reading in the Senate on November
13, according to NAN.
13, according to NAN.
The bill seeks to convert the Modibbo Adama University
of Technology (MAUTech) Yola, a mono-disciplinary institute to a
multi-disciplinary and engaging institution of higher learning.
of Technology (MAUTech) Yola, a mono-disciplinary institute to a
multi-disciplinary and engaging institution of higher learning.
Abubakar said that the higher education sector was
also overburdened by a significant youth bulge.
also overburdened by a significant youth bulge.
“More than 60 per cent of the country’s population is under
the age of 24 years; almost one in four Sub-Saharan people reside in Nigeria,
making it Africa’s most populous country.
the age of 24 years; almost one in four Sub-Saharan people reside in Nigeria,
making it Africa’s most populous country.
“From an estimated 42.5 million people at the time of
independence in 1960, Nigeria’s population has more than quadrupled to 186,988
million people in 2016 (UN projection).
independence in 1960, Nigeria’s population has more than quadrupled to 186,988
million people in 2016 (UN projection).
“The United Nations anticipates that Nigeria will
become the third largest country in the world by 2050 with 399 million
people,’’ Atiku said.
become the third largest country in the world by 2050 with 399 million
people,’’ Atiku said.
The former vice president said that with such
projections, Nigeria’s exponential population growth was exerting immense
pressure on the country’s resources and overstretching public services and
infrastructure.
projections, Nigeria’s exponential population growth was exerting immense
pressure on the country’s resources and overstretching public services and
infrastructure.
Abubakar further explained that record from Joint
Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) indicated a wide disparity between
the number of applications and the actual number of successful admission in the
nation’s tertiary institutions.
Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) indicated a wide disparity between
the number of applications and the actual number of successful admission in the
nation’s tertiary institutions.
He pointed out that converting MAUTech Yola to a
conventional university would expand the chance of qualified candidates to get
placement beyond the limited confines of engineering and sciences.
conventional university would expand the chance of qualified candidates to get
placement beyond the limited confines of engineering and sciences.
“The conversion of the university to a conventional
university which in addition to courses in science and technology will have the
mandate to run courses in medicine, pharmacy, law, the arts and social and
management sciences, among others.
university which in addition to courses in science and technology will have the
mandate to run courses in medicine, pharmacy, law, the arts and social and
management sciences, among others.
“This indeed is the surest way to accelerate access,
quality, relevance and equity for our people in Adamawa.
quality, relevance and equity for our people in Adamawa.
“I formally join fellow compatriots in the advocacy
for the conversion of the university from a specialised entity to a
conventional one,” Abubakar said.
for the conversion of the university from a specialised entity to a
conventional one,” Abubakar said.
He, however, appealed to members of the National
Assembly to review the law on compulsory basic free education, alleging that
the funds given to states to develop education were being diverted.
Assembly to review the law on compulsory basic free education, alleging that
the funds given to states to develop education were being diverted.
Sponsor of the bill Senator Aishatu Dahiru
(APC-Adamawa central) said that the world was moving from mono-disciplinary
institutions to multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary institutions of
learning.
(APC-Adamawa central) said that the world was moving from mono-disciplinary
institutions to multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary institutions of
learning.
“In keeping with this, it will also have well-grounded
students of technology with knowledge of the social sciences and humanities and
not just technology robots,’’ she said.
students of technology with knowledge of the social sciences and humanities and
not just technology robots,’’ she said.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions
and TETFund, Sen. Ahmad Kaita, said that the institution would provide the much
needed technical knowhow that would aid the country’s technological
advancement.
and TETFund, Sen. Ahmad Kaita, said that the institution would provide the much
needed technical knowhow that would aid the country’s technological
advancement.
President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan while declaring
the public hearing open said that the institutions were central to the growth
and development of the much needed workforce in the country.
the public hearing open said that the institutions were central to the growth
and development of the much needed workforce in the country.
Lawan who was represented by the Deputy Senate
President Ovie Omo-Agege said that the institution would be useful to its
proposed catchment areas.
President Ovie Omo-Agege said that the institution would be useful to its
proposed catchment areas.