By Elizabeth Godwin
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has placed a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, even as it approved nine new private universities.
The decision followed a presentation by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during Wednesday’s FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Alausa warned that Nigeria’s tertiary education system was buckling under overstretched resources, poor enrolment, and declining academic standards.
He revealed that many existing institutions are grossly under-utilised. “In one northern university, 1,200 staff serve fewer than 800 students. This is a waste of government resources,” he said.
Data from last year showed that 199 universities had fewer than 100 applications through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), while 34 received none at all. Similarly, 64 of the country’s 295 polytechnics and 219 colleges of education recorded zero applicants.
According to the minister, the unchecked proliferation of poorly subscribed institutions risks producing ill-prepared graduates, eroding the global reputation of Nigerian degrees, and exacerbating unemployment. The moratorium, he explained, would allow government to focus on rehabilitating existing infrastructure, recruiting qualified lecturers, and expanding enrolment capacity.
Despite the freeze, nine private universities secured approval after meeting stringent requirements. Alausa clarified that these applications had been pending for up to six years and underwent full evaluation by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“When we assumed office, there were 551 applications for private universities. Over 350 dormant ones were deactivated. Of the 79 active cases, nine met the criteria and were approved,” he said, noting that substantial investments had already been made in their facilities.
The moratorium also applies to new private polytechnics and colleges of education. Alausa described the move as a “reset” for the sector and credited President Tinubu with backing reforms aimed at making Nigerian tertiary institutions globally competitive.
He emphasised that the focus now is on quality over quantity — ensuring that Nigeria’s higher education system produces graduates equipped for both local and international opportunities.
