FG approves 11 private universities, N2.5bn satellite mining equipment

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Monday, approved 11 new private universities across the country, even as it also approved N2.5 billion for satellite equipment to monitor mining activities in the country.

Dele Alake, minister for solid minerals, who spoke on the FEC approval after the meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, stated that the satellite equipment would help to check unmanned and unregistered mining sites, as well as illegal mining.

He lamented that the country had lost trillions of naira to the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, which the Federal Government now wants to check.

Alake also lamented interference in the solid minerals sector by some States who shut down some mining fields.

“I have been on a running battles with sub-national, I have been engaging and educating some States. The States own the lands under the land use decree, (Land Use Act), but where ever there is mineral, it belongs to the Federal Government”

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The Council also approved 11 new private universities, according to Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education

Alausa stated however, that the Federal Executive Council also placed moratorium on new universities.

The Private Universities approved included New City University, Ayetoro Ogun State; University of Fortune, igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi and Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annex.

Others included the Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State; Southern Atlantic University Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Lens University, ilemona, Kwara State, and Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State.

The Council also approved Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, said FEC also approved N1.9 billion insurance policy to cover critical Government assets, including airports, other assets in the aviation sector.