FG places six-year moratorium on new tertiary institutions

The Federal Government has announced a six year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja.

According to the minister, the decision is part of efforts to improve the quality of education in the country.

Alausa explained that a similar restriction had earlier been placed on the creation of private universities last year, but the latest directive now extends to all categories of tertiary institutions.

The moratorium covers universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

“The memo approved by council today is the placement of a six year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,” he said.

He noted that the major challenge facing the education sector is no longer access to tertiary education but the need to enhance quality and sustainability within existing institutions.

Alausa said that about 2.3 million candidates registered for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination last year, yet nearly 228 universities received fewer than 50 applicants each.

He added that with the resolution of disputes involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), more students are expected to return to public universities, a development that could further reduce enrolment in private institutions.

The minister stressed the importance of protecting investments made by private owners while strengthening the quality of both public and private tertiary institutions.

Alausa also revealed that the FEC approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, which had previously been downgraded to a department within the ministry.

He said the move aligns with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that more than 50 million Nigerians become digitally literate within the next two to three years.

According to him, with an estimated 56 million Nigerians still classified as illiterate, restoring the commission to its full status would boost efforts to expand adult and non-formal education, particularly in rural communities through radio, television, advocacy campaigns and dedicated learning centres.