Ebonyi’s Umahi approves draft bill to establish two additional state universities

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved a draft bill to establish two additional universities – University of Aeronautic Engineering and University of ICT, Science and Technology in the state.

Umahi gave the approval at a state cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Commissioner for Information, Mr Uchenna Orji, confirmed this to newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday.

He said Gov. Umahi directed that the report of the committee that examined the proposal for the setting up of the universities be sent to the House of Assembly for consideration.

The universities, to be located at Ezza-South and Izzi Local Government Areas, respectively, would bring the number of Ebonyi-owned universities to four, three of which would have been established by Umahi.

Already in existence are Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, founded in 1999 and the King David University of Medical Science, Uburu, established in 2021.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Mr Moses Nomeh, has said that the cabinet also received a report on a partnership proposal between Ebonyi government and a private company.

The partnership is to own Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Microbiology centres and a Blood Bank at the King David University of Medical Sciences.

“Under the proposal, the state government will be entitled to 10 per cent of gross profit made by the private company, subject to upward review to 15 per cent after three years of operation.

“Cabinet approved the partnership and applauded the governor for his efforts at building capacities for the university through private sector initiatives,” Nomeh said.