Abuja, Jan 10. 2005- The Federal government has granted license for the establishment of seven new private universities in Nigeria including the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo State owned by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
Education Minister, Prof. Fabian Osuji issued certificates to the new universities during an elaborate ceremony in Abuja recently.
The approved universities include Bingham University in New Karu, (Nasarawa State), Caritas University, Amoji-Nike (Enugu State) and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin (Kwara State).
Others are Katsina University (Katsina State), CETEP University, Onike (Lagos State) and Redeemer University, Mowe (Ogun State).
All the universities are faith based.
Most Revd. Emmanuel Ademowo, Archbishop of the Province of Lagos received the certificate on behalf the management of the university.
"The vision and mission of Ajayi Crowther University is to be a top class institution in the pursuit of knowledge and scholarship, and to produce students imbued with the fear of God, '' Ademowo said.
Located on Ibadan/Oyo/Ilorin road in Atiba local government area of Oyo state Ajayi Crowther University will be jointly financed by the Province of Lagos, Province of Bendel, Province of Ibadan and the Province of Ondo.
Prof Olajire Olaniran Vice-Chancellor ACU said the institution is multi disciplinary with a bias for courses in science and technology. This would ensure that our graduates are employable and able to create jobs for themselves and the society at large.
Ven. Christian Ebisike Director Education and Social Welfare Church of Nigeria told Church of Nigeria News that the Anglican Church pioneered the establishment of secondary schools and theological schools in Nigeria.
"The approval of the university by the Federal government is an appreciation of this effort. Being one of the largest Christian denominations in Nigeria we may ask for more. '' At present the Church of Nigeria has numerous primary and secondary schools as well as standard theological schools around the country namely University College Awka, Trinity Theological College Umuahia, Vinning Theological College Akure, St Francis of Assisi College of Theology, Wusasa-Zaria, and Immanuel College Ibadan.
The Director of Social Welfare suggested the possibility of merging the colleges into a University of Theology with multi campuses, adding, that the church had the qualified staff to make this work.
African Bishops at the occasion of the maiden Anglican Bishops Conference held in Lagos last November addressed the issue of raising local grown theological education in the wake of the schism created by revisionist western doctrines.
The Bishops pledged to embark on a well-resourced, highly rated and contextually relevant theological institutions that can engage peculiar challenges from an African perspective.
Article by: By Peter Onwubuariri (Church of Nigeria News)