Private Universities Funded By Nigerian Politicians (Full List)

Overview: Private Universities Funded By Nigerian Politicians (Full List)

Through the National Institutions Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria has authorized 147 private institutions as of November 27, 2023.

These establishments coexist with universities that are owned, respectively, by the federal and state governments.

The country’s private university population increased from three in 1999 to 147 in 2023 as a result of persistent labor disputes, inadequate funding, and the decay of public education. The NUC reports that it has over 270 outstanding requests for the creation of new private universities.

According to our correspondent’s analysis of the private universities using information retrieved from the NUC website on Tuesday, the majority of these institutions are funded by religious organizations in addition to current and former politicians.

Private Universities Funded By Nigerian Politicians (Full List)

1. Bells University, Ogun state: This institution was founded by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. The institution also has on its board a former governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dakwambo, and a former senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.
2. American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa state: Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential contender in the general elections of 2023, is the owner of this university. He was previously Nigeria’s vice president.
3. Amaj University, Kwali, Abuja: This institution is owned by a former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa. The University received its license in 2023 and is one of the youngest private universities in the country.
4. Hensard University, Bayelsa State: Owned by Seriake Dickson, a former governor of the state, Hensard is another recently licensed private university in Nigeria, similar to Amaj University.
5. Rivers State’s PAMO University of Medical Sciences: The first private medical university in Nigeria, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, was founded by Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers State. Additionally, the organization is represented by Senator Abu Ibrahim of Katsina South and former military administrator Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar on its board of directors.
6. Baze University, Abuja: Founded by Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former senator and Labour Party vice presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Baze University is located in Abuja.
7. Imo State’s Eastern Palms University: Rochas Okorocha, the founder of this organization, was a senator and former governor of Imo state, serving in the ninth Senate representing the Imo West senatorial constituency.
8. Edwin Clark University: Edwin Clark, an elder statesman and former federal commissioner of information, founded Edwin Clark University.
9. Sports University, Delta State: Ned Nwoko, a present senator, is the owner of the first private sports university. In 2021, he was granted permission to operate the facility.

Meanwhile, politicians from the past and present have held positions on the boards of trustees and governing councils at a few other private colleges.

For example, Remi Tinubu, the First Lady at the moment and a former senator from Lagos West senatorial district serves on the board of trustees at Kings University in Odemu, Osun state.

Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo state, is a member of the Achievers University board of trustees.

The governing council of Nile University, located in Abuja, is composed of senators Osita Izunaso, representing the Imo West senatorial district, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

Sam Ohuabunwa, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party, serves as the chairman of the Gregory University Uturu council in the state of Abia.

Greenfield University, situated in Kaduna, features Muhammad Usman, a former member of the Eighth House of Representatives, among other members on its board.

Source: Narialand