FG Bans Establishment Of Tertiary Institutions For Seven Years
The Federal Government has announced a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing the increasing number of under-utilised institutions, overstretched resources, and declining academic standards.
The decision, endorsed 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.
Despite the moratorium, the council approved the establishment of nine new universities.
Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, Alausa explained that Nigeria’s tertiary education challenge was no longer about access but about inefficiency, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient staffing, and low enrolment across many institutions.
“Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students. In one northern university, there are 1,200 staff serving fewer than 800 students. This is a waste of government resources,” he stated.
According to him, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board last year, with 34 recording no applications at all. Of the 295 polytechnics in the country, many had fewer than 99 applicants, while 219 colleges of education posted similarly poor figures — including 64 that attracted zero applications.
Alausa warned that the unchecked establishment of poorly subscribed institutions could result in ill-prepared graduates, damage the global reputation of Nigerian degrees, and worsen unemployment levels.
He explained that the suspension would allow the government to focus resources on improving facilities, employing qualified personnel, and increasing the capacity of existing institutions.
“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,” he said.
Currently, Nigeria has 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to numerous state-owned and private institutions, as well as specialised schools such as colleges of agriculture, health sciences, and nursing.
The minister clarified that the newly approved universities were private institutions whose applications had been pending for as long as six years and had successfully undergone a full evaluation by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“When we assumed office, there were 551 applications for private universities. Many had been stuck due to inefficiencies at the NUC. We deactivated over 350 dormant applications and set new, stricter guidelines. Of the 79 active cases, nine met the criteria and were approved,” Alausa said.
He revealed that billions of naira had already been invested in infrastructure for the approved institutions and stressed that the moratorium also covers new private polytechnics and colleges of education to avoid further under-enrolment.
Alausa praised President Tinubu for backing the reform, describing it as a reset button for Nigeria’s higher education system.
“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 added.
8/14/2025, 6:52:44 AM
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