The Federal Government has denied reports suggesting the privatization of government-owned tertiary institutions, particularly universities. This denial was made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during a quarterly performance meeting with heads of agencies, parastatals, and directors of the Ministry in Abuja on Tuesday.
Prof. Mamman emphasized that the periodic meetings serve as a platform to evaluate progress, review challenges, and reaffirm commitment to overcoming obstacles in the implementation of key policies. He firmly stated that the reports on privatization are untrue and should be disregarded.
“Government believes in the provision of government-owned tertiary institutions and acknowledges the significant role of the private sector,” Mamman said. “For decades, private sectors have played a major role in providing tertiary education in Nigeria, with more private universities than public ones combined.”
He clarified that the government’s aim is to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities by allowing international institutions to collaborate with local ones under trans-national education guidelines.
The Minister appreciated the participation of top management staff and highlighted the importance of the meeting as it constitutes both the policy-making and implementation arms of the Ministry. “If we get it right at the Ministry of Education, it will benefit the entire country as it is the manpower hub responsible for producing leadership and skilled personnel,” he added. Mamman also noted the strong support from the President, who considers the Ministry one of the core mandates of the government.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, also stressed the importance of the quarterly review meeting, emphasizing that education must encompass character, knowledge, and skills. He urged a campaign to produce graduates who can thrive in the 21st century, aligning with the African Union’s declaration of the year as one of education to ensure lifelong learning experiences for Nigerians.
