Federal Government Imposes Seven-Year Moratorium on New Tertiary Institutions

The Federal Government has announced a seven-year suspension on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The move is aimed at addressing the growing number of underutilized institutions across the country, which has resulted in inefficiencies, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient staffing, and declining student enrollment.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the proliferation of institutions has stretched available resources too thin, leaving some universities operating below capacity. He stressed that the decision is intended to enhance the quality of education and maintain the international reputation of Nigerian graduates.

Statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) show that last year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applicants, while 34 institutions had no applications at all.

The government plans to channel resources into improving existing institutions through upgraded facilities, recruitment of qualified staff, and increased student capacity. It is also reviewing the Polytechnic Act to enable polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees, aiming to bridge the gap between university and polytechnic education.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council has approved the establishment of nine new private universities, following long-pending applications that met stringent evaluation standards. The approvals do not affect the moratorium on new federal institutions.