Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved a draft bill to establish two new universities in the state: the University of Aeronautic Engineering and the University of ICT, Science, and Technology.
At a state cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Umahi gave his approval.
Mr Uchenna Orji, the Commissioner for Information, confirmed this to reporters in Abakaliki on Thursday.
According to him, Governor Umahi directed that the report of the committee that investigated the proposal for the establishment of the universities be sent to the House of Assembly for consideration.
The universities, which would be located in the Ezza-South and Izzi Local Government Areas, would bring the total number of Ebonyi-owned universities to four, three of which would be established by Umahi.
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, was established in 1999, and the King David University of Medical Science, Uburu, will be established in 2021.
Meanwhile, Mr Moses Nomeh, Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, stated that the cabinet received a report on a partnership proposal between the Ebonyi government and a private company.
The collaboration will own Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Microbiology centers, as well as a Blood Bank at King David University of Medical Sciences.
“Under the proposal, the state government will be entitled to 10% of the private company’s gross profit, subject to an increase to 15% after three years of operation.”
“The partnership was approved by Cabinet, and the governor was commended for his efforts to build capacity for the university through private sector initiatives,” Nomeh said.