FG SLAMS SEVEN-YEAR BAN ON NEW FEDERAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, APPROVES NINE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Government has imposed a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing overstretched resources, under-utilised institutions, and declining academic standards.
The decision, approved at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, followed a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Alausa said the pause was necessary to curb the “unchecked proliferation” of poorly subscribed institutions, which risk producing ill-prepared graduates, diminishing the value of Nigerian degrees, and worsening unemployment.
“Our problem is no longer access, but duplication, poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and dwindling enrolment in many institutions,” the minister said. “If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions.”
The minister disclosed that Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to hundreds of state-owned and private institutions, as well as specialised schools.
Despite the freeze, FEC approved nine new private universities whose applications had been pending for up to six years and had undergone full National Universities Commission (NUC) evaluation.
“When we assumed office, there were 551 applications for private universities. We deactivated over 350 dormant ones and tightened guidelines. Of the 79 active cases, nine met the criteria and were approved,” Alausa explained, adding that billions of naira had already been invested in their infrastructure.
The moratorium also applies to new private polytechnics and colleges of education. Alausa described the policy as a “reset button” for Nigeria’s tertiary education and commended President Tinubu for backing the reform.
“Mr President believes fervently in education and has given us the mandate to ensure every Nigerian has access to the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world,” he said.
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