President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of five specialized universities in Abuja, Bauchi, Osun, Jigawa and Akwa Ibom states.
The varsities will specialize in technology and health sciences to close the yawning gap in the doctor-patient ratio as well as in medical research and production of pharmaceutical products.
The president also approved a take-off grant of N4 billion each for the universities of technology and N5 billion each for the universities of health sciences from the funding of TETFund.
The Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education, Arc Sonny Echono, who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja said the two additional university of technology would be located in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom states.
While the National Institute of Technology (NIT) would be in Abuja and two specialized universities in Health, Nutrition and Medical Sciences to be located at Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.
Echono also disclosed that the president approved that four existing Universities of Technology located in Yola, Akure, Owerri and Minna be upgraded and equipped.
Echocho said the specialized universities would lay a solid foundation for building national preparedness and resilience in anticipation of future challenges in the health sector while reducing medical tourism to countries like India, UAE, Egypt, Europe and the USA.
