The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), says the House is considering bills for the establishment of additional tertiary institutions.

Mr Agbese said while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday that the move was to accommodate the growing number of admission seekers.

He said the House was equally working on laws to strengthen the existing tertiary institutions.

The lawmaker said the House would, through its oversight functions, ensure accountability and transparency in tertiary educational institutions.

Mr Agbese spoke on the sidelines of the 2025 Democracy Day celebration at the National Assembly.

He said it was important to reinforce the existing institutions and form them properly for maximum efficiency.

”Some people have always argued that the problems with our tertiary institutions were not necessarily lack of funds, but the proper utilisation of the available funds allocated to some of these institutions,” he said.

Mr Agbese said the House would maintain a high level of transparency and accountability to ensure that the funds are properly accounted for.

“It is good we have these institutions, and we are working hard to strengthen them; we have looked at the laws, and we are working on them to ensure they are strengthened.

“In addition to that is the issue of the establishment of new institutions because Nigeria is a large country and has a growing population.

“If you consider the number of institutions we have now and the population of the country, you will agree with me that we need to establish more institutions,” he said.

Mr Agbese added that, beyond establishing more institutions, the House was also interested in raising the existing institutions to international standards.

“We have this number of young admission seekers coming out of secondary schools every year, but the existing institutions do not have the carrying capacity to accommodate them, and we cannot allow them to stay at home,” he said.

(NAN)