Imo State in Southeast, Nigeria, can unarguably be said to be one of the States in the country that has the highest presence of government-owned tertiary institutions – excluding privately-owned ones. These institutions range from universities to polytechnics and to colleges of education.
In Imo State, there is a mix of both federal and State tertiary institutions. From the federal government angle,we have the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO),Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education,Owerri (AIFUE),Federal Polytechnic, Nekede (PolyNek), and Federal College of Land Resources,Owerri. From the State government, there are the Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU),Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ideato (KOMU),University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma, Benjamin Uwajumogu College of Education, Ihitte Uboma and recently, Ikeduru College of Education, Atta – owned by the missionary (Anglican Church).
The beauty of these tertiary institutions in Imo is that they offer prospective indigenes of the State seeking admissions, a plethora of opportunities to choose from. This is a privilege.
It is not contestable that education is one of the greatest industries there are in Imo. Both the government and the people of Imo State do not compromise the importance attached to education in the State.
In the Southeast zone, Imo State has the highest number of tertiary institutions. No State in the zone can boast of the same number of tertiary institutions that are in Imo.
Nigerian Horn is pleased to note that tertiary education seekers in Imo have been provided with a variety of options to choose from. The presence of many tertiary institutions has by all indices, simplified the admission process for the youths in Imo. They do not need to look elsewhere for their admission needs.
While Nigerian Horn urges parents and guardians of prospective tertiary education admission seekers in Imo to maximize the benefits drivable from the proximity of these institutions to them,it also insists that the institutions should not compromise standards no matter the circumstances. The universities should at all times, strive to operate competitively with their peers in other parts of the country and prove their mettle.
The quality of any institution’s standards defines its rating by both the regulatory authorities and the people. This must be borne in mind by the management of these institutions.
A compromised standard of education a threat to educational growth and development.
