By Rafiyat Sadiq
The federal government has imposed a seven-year ban on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, even as it approved nine new private universities.
The decision was reached at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa said the moratorium was necessary to address the proliferation of underutilised institutions, overstretched resources, and declining academic standards.
He noted that some federal universities operate with fewer than 2,000 students, while one in the North has 1,200 staff for fewer than 800 students.
Last year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with 34 recording none. Of 295 polytechnics, many had under 99 applicants, while 64 of the 219 colleges of education had no applications.
“This uncontrolled spread of poorly subscribed institutions risks producing ill-prepared graduates, diminishing the value of Nigerian degrees internationally, and worsening unemployment,” Alausa warned.
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The minister explained that the pause would allow the government to focus on upgrading facilities, hiring qualified staff, and expanding the capacity of existing institutions.
Despite the freeze, the FEC approved nine private universities whose applications had been pending for up to six years.
These include Tazkiyah University in Kaduna State, Leadership University in Abuja, Jimoh Babalola University in Kwara State, Bridget University in Mbaise, Imo State, Greenland University in Jigawa State, JEFAP University in Niger State, Azione Verde University in Imo State, Unique Open University in Lagos State, and American Open University in Ogun State.
According to Alausa, the Tinubu administration inherited 551 applications for private universities. Over 350 dormant cases were deactivated, leaving 79 active applications, out of which nine met the new, stricter criteria and were approved. He said billions of naira had already been invested in infrastructure for the approved institutions.
The minister stressed that the moratorium also covers new private polytechnics and colleges of education.
He described the policy as a “reset button” for the country’s tertiary education system and commended President Tinubu for his commitment to providing quality 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.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
