FG upgrades four colleges of education to universities

The Federal Government has approved the upgrade of four colleges of education to federal universities of education.

It also approved a new university of health sciences,which has been operating under the Federal University of Agriculture, Markudi, Benue State, granting it autonomy.

This was disclosed at the post Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting briefing by Patricia Akwashiki, information minister, alongside Ibrahim Shekarau, the minister of education.

Akwashiki also announced that there will be a small handover ceremony on May 28, where President Goodluck Jonathan will hand over all the briefs collated by the secretary to the government of the federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as his final handover note to president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

The outgoing president and Vice President Namadi Sambo as well as the president-elect and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, will proceed on a tour of Aso Rock facilities and end the day with a presidential gala night at the Aso Rock Banquet Hall.

Before the approval of the conversion of the colleges of education, there were over 21 degree certificate awarding colleges of education in the country.

Following the approval by FEC, the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State; Federal College of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State; Federal College of
Education, Kano, Kano State and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Imo State were all upgraded to full university status.

ELIZABETH ARCHIBONG, Abuja