Tunji Alausa; Minister Of Education
By Ab Susan
The Federal Government of Nigeria has imposed a 7-year moratorium on establishing new federal tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This decision aims to address the proliferation of under-utilized institutions, overstretched resources, and a drop in academic quality.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the moratorium will enable the government to focus on upgrading existing facilities, recruiting qualified lecturers, and expanding the capacity of current institutions. The government has also approved the establishment of nine new private universities that had long-pending applications and passed rigorous evaluation.
The problem in the tertiary education sector is no longer access but inefficient duplication of institutions, poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and low enrolment rates. Many federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 800 students but over 1,200 staff members. In the 2024/2025 academic session, 199 universities had fewer than 100 candidates applying through JAMB, while 34 had zero applicants. Polytechnics and colleges of education are also struggling with low enrolment, with many having fewer than 99 applicants.
The government plans to channel funds towards upgrading facilities, recruiting and training qualified staff, and increasing the carrying capacities of existing institutions. The moratorium is expected to ensure that Nigerian graduates remain competitive and respected globally for their quality education, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for the country’s education sector. The decision is seen as a “reset button” for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, prioritizing quality over quantity.
The moratorium applies to federal institutions, but nine new private universities have been approved after thorough evaluations. The government aims to clamp down on dormant and inefficient applications in the National Universities Commission (NUC). This move is expected to improve the overall quality of education in Nigeria and ensure that graduates are well-prepared to compete globally.
