The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Tuesday issued Lagos State Government provisional license to operate two universities.
The institutions are the Lagos State University of Education with centres in Ijanikin and Epe and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu.
The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, while handing over the licenses to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Abuja, said the two universities were existing institutions.
Abubakar congratulated the Lagos State government officials and advised them to strictly abide by the laws guiding university operations.
He urged the officials to approach the commission if need be for proper guidance to avoid violation of rules of engagement which could attract maximum sanctions from the commission.
“By this letter dated Feb. 8, 2022, the new aforementioned universities in Lagos state have been officially recognised by NUC.
“JAMB, NYSC, TETFund and other relevant stakeholders will be notified as quickly as possible for their planning and other engagements,” he said.
Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu appreciated the commission for proper scrutiny of their submissions and kind considerations that heralded the approval of the two universities.
Sanwo-Olu promised the commission that the institutions would lead the way in the provision of quality education for Lagos residents.
He further said that the quest for more universities in the state became necessary as a result of increased demand for education.
He noted that the existing institutions had reached their topmost height and needed expansion with additional academic and infrastructural capacities.
According to him, getting approval for two new universities at a time is not being over ambitious but because it is what the people yearn for.
He said: “Education and Technology are in our economic agenda. So, it is not something that we just fell into overnight; it was something that we thought out. It is something that our people deserve and we plan that in four years, we are going to deliver to them. We thank all the stakeholders, the House of Assembly and all the various communities where these institutions would be cited and all of our other players in the private sector who are looking forward to this.
“There are over 20,000 schools in Lagos that are in a private institution that are looking for teachers; teachers in science education and other curricula of education that have university degrees. It is a ready market that we are trying to fill. So, we are excited and proud that we can take it back home today.”
With the Clearance Certificates of Operation by NUC, Lagos State University of Education is now the 56th state university and 204th university in Nigeria, as well as the second university of education in Nigeria while Lagos State University of Science and Technology is 57th state university and 205th university in Nigeria.
The two universities, which are expected to kick start operations any moment from now are in addition to the existing Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, established in 1982 by the first Civilian Governor of Lagos, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. Lagos State now has three state-owned universities.
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