The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria, affecting universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Minister of Education Tunji Alausa explained that the decision aims to address the declining quality of education due to the over-proliferation of institutions, which has strained resources and compromised standards.
The government plans to redirect resources toward improving the quality and capacity of existing institutions, including upgrading physical infrastructure and manpower to ensure Nigerian graduates remain globally competitive.
Alausa cited an example of a federal university with fewer than 800 students but over 1,200 staff, calling the situation unsustainable.
According to Alausa, Nigeria has a combined total of 339 universities, as well as numerous polytechnics and colleges of education.
However, data from the 2024-2026 academic sessions reveals a troubling disconnect, with 199 universities having fewer than 99 applicants and 34 universities having zero applicants.
Similarly, 295 polytechnics had fewer than 99 applicants, and 219 colleges of education suffered similar fates, with 64 colleges receiving no applicants at all.
Despite the moratorium, the FEC approved the establishment of nine new private universities that had been pending approval for years.
The government aims to ensure that future institutions meet new, more rigorous standards.
The decision aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing quality education comparable to global standards.
