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 converted into universities.
The governor made the point on Friday in Umuahia while reacting to reports that the immediate past administration in the state converted three institutions into universities before exiting office.
Governor Otti, who said he was not aware of such conversion by the past Abia administration, explained that running multiple universities places financial and administrative pressure on a state.
He observed that the duplication of universities denies the schools quality attention and proper funding, arguing that Abia State University, Uturu, and privately owned universities can provide the needed services in the state.
“If you set up three universities, you have three vice chancellors, three registrars, and three administration buildings.
“I won’t be an apostle of duplicating universities when you have one you can fund very well and take advantage of,” Governor Otti said.
The Abia governor said he was more interested in proper funding of the existing higher institutions in the state while retaining their statuses.