The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria, aiming to curb duplication and enhance the performance of existing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Speaking to journalists after the FEC meeting on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the challenge in the education sector is no longer access, but rather underutilization and inefficiency.
“Many federal universities are operating well below capacity. Some institutions have fewer than 2,000 students, while in one northern university, over 1,200 staff serve less than 800 students. That’s a clear misuse of public funds,” Alausa said.
The Minister noted that the unchecked proliferation of federal tertiary institutions has led to diluted capacity and underperformance. According to him, recent figures from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) show that many institutions received fewer than 100 applications, highlighting the declining demand for some of these schools.
Alausa warned that the continued spread of poorly subscribed institutions could result in a generation of ill-equipped graduates, undermining the value of Nigerian degrees globally and worsening the unemployment crisis.
The moratorium will allow the government to redirect resources towards upgrading existing infrastructure, recruiting qualified academic staff, and expanding enrollment capacity at established institutions.
Additionally, the council approved a review of guidelines for licensing new private universities to ensure higher standards and better oversight.
“If we are serious about improving the quality of our higher education and protecting the reputation of Nigerian degrees, we must put a temporary halt to the creation of new federal institutions,” Alausa concluded.
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