The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, has approved a seven-year moratorium on the creation of new federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The policy covers all categories of federal higher learning, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that the decision aims to consolidate and strengthen existing institutions rather than expand their numbers.
According to Dr. Alausa, the rapid proliferation of federal tertiary institutions has overstretched government resources, leading to poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and underutilized facilities.
He revealed that some institutions operate with low or even zero student enrollment while still maintaining large personnel numbers.
“We must focus on improving the quality of education rather than just increasing access. Many federal institutions are struggling due to duplication and limited funding, which compromises standards,” the Minister said.
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The Education Minister also shared data showing low application rates for several federal polytechnics and colleges of education. This situation, he noted, calls for a strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s tertiary education policy.
Under the new directive, the federal government will channel more funds into upgrading infrastructure, improving academic programs, and supporting faculty development in existing schools to ensure Nigerian graduates are globally competitive.
The moratorium applies exclusively to federal institutions. However, the FEC also granted approval for nine new private universities, carefully selected from 79 applications after a rigorous evaluation process.
This strategic shift reflects the government’s resolve to address long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s higher education system and to create a more sustainable and high-quality learning environment.
