The Federal Government has imposed a seven-year ban on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
The policy, approved at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, is aimed at curbing the proliferation of under-utilised institutions, easing pressure on resources, and improving academic quality.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who presented the proposal to FEC, said the moratorium will allow the government to concentrate on consolidating resources, upgrading infrastructure, improving teaching standards, and ensuring better funding for existing schools.
According to him, the decision is part of a broader reform to strengthen Nigeria’s tertiary education system, produce globally competitive graduates, and align academic output with market needs.
The suspension will remain in place until at least 2032, during which the focus will be on revitalising current federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education before considering the establishment of new ones.