The Federal Government has approved a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing the unchecked spread of under-utilised institutions, overstretched resources, and declining academic standards.
This decision, approved during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, followed a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. Despite the freeze, the FEC still approved the establishment of nine new universities.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Alausa explained that Nigeria’s main challenge in the tertiary education sector was no longer access but inefficiency, inadequate infrastructure, lack of qualified staff, and low enrolment levels in 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.
He revealed that 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) last year, with 34 recording zero applications. Out of the 295 polytechnics in the country, many attracted fewer than 99 applicants, while 219 colleges of education also had poor enrolment rates, including 64 that received no applications at all.
Alausa cautioned that the uncontrolled growth of under-subscribed institutions could produce poorly prepared graduates, damage the global reputation of Nigerian degrees, and worsen unemployment. He noted that the moratorium would allow the government to concentrate on improving facilities, recruiting qualified personnel, and expanding the capacity of existing schools.
“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, alongside hundreds of state-owned and private institutions, as well as specialised colleges of agriculture, health sciences, and nursing.
The minister clarified that the nine newly approved universities were private institutions with applications that had been pending for as long as six years and had undergone 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 added that billions of naira had already been invested in infrastructure for these approved universities. The moratorium, he stressed, also applies to new private polytechnics and colleges of education to curb further under-enrolment.
Praising the President’s support, Alausa described the reform as a “reset button” for Nigeria’s tertiary education. “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.
