Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday in Abuja approved eight new private universities in the country.

Addressing State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, said the approval followed a memo submitted by the Federal Ministry of Education.

He gave the names of the new universities as Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, (owned by Deeper Life Christian Ministry); Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River (owned by Clitter House Nigeria Limited) and Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia, (owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church).

Others are Coal City University, Enugu, (African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, Enugu); Crown-Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara (owned by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited) and the Dominican University, Ibadan, (owned by Order of Preachers, Nigerian Dominican Community).

He said the council also approved Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, (owned by Kola Daisi Foundation) and Legacy University, Okija in Anambra (owned by Good Idea Education Foundation).

He disclosed that the new universities were being licensed for a three years provisional approval and would be mentored by some existing universities across the country.

Anwuka stated that the University of Lagos would serve as mentor to Anchor University, Ayobo; Arthur Jarvis, Clifford and Coal City Universities would be mentored by University of Calabar, University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, respectively.

The minister revealed that the University of Ilorin would also serve as mentor to Crown-Hill University in Kwara while Dominican and Kola Daisi Universities in Ibadan would be mentored by the University of Ibadan.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said that the council also ratified the Climate Change Paris Agreement and Agreement against Double Taxation between Nigeria and Kenya.

He said the council also approved the revised estimate cost for the completion of the local and International wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport. (NAN)

•Photo shows Education Minister of State, Prof. Anthony Anwuka.

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