Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba; Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu; and other state government-owned higher institutions will not be turned into universities.
The governor made the point on Friday in Umuahia while reacting to reports that three institutions were converted to universities by the immediate past administration in the state before exiting office.
Governor Otti said he was unaware of such conversion by the past Abia administration, explaining that running multiple universities puts financial and administrative pressure on a state.
He argued that the duplication of universities denies the schools quality attention and proper funding, adding that Abia State University, Uturu and privately owned universities can render the needed services in the state.
“If you create three universities, you will have three vice-chancellors, three registrars and three administration buildings.
Governor Otti said: “I will not be an apostle of duplicating universities when you have one you can fund very well and take advantage of.
The Abia governor said he was more concerned with proper funding of the existing higher institutions in the state while retaining their statuses.
