The Federal Government has placed a seven-year ban on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing concerns over the increasing number of under-utilised institutions, strained resources, and declining academic standards.
The policy was endorsed at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Despite the moratorium, FEC gave the nod for the establishment of nine new universities.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Alausa explained that the major issue facing Nigeria’s tertiary education system was no longer access but the duplication of institutions, decaying infrastructure, shortage of qualified personnel, and low student enrolment in many schools.
“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 said.
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He revealed that last year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications via the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, with 34 recording zero applications. Among the country’s 295 polytechnics, many had fewer than 99 applicants, while 64 out of 219 colleges of education did not get a single application.
Alausa warned that allowing more poorly subscribed institutions to emerge could lead to ill-equipped graduates, damage the credibility of Nigerian degrees abroad, and worsen unemployment.
According to him, the freeze will allow the government to focus on improving existing institutions by expanding facilities, employing competent staff, and increasing student intake.
“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.
Nigeria currently boasts 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, along with numerous state-owned and private tertiary institutions and specialised schools in areas like agriculture, health sciences, and nursing.
The minister clarified that the newly approved universities were private institutions whose applications had been pending for up to six years and had successfully met the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) requirements.
“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, adding that significant investments had already been made in infrastructure for these schools.
The moratorium, he added, also covers the creation of new private polytechnics and colleges of education to avoid further under-enrolment.
Alausa praised President Tinubu for backing the initiative, calling it a “reset button” for the nation’s tertiary education sector.
“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.
