Tinubu bans establishment of new universities, polytechnics, other tertiary institutions for seven years

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a seven-year suspension on establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.

Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, who announced the policy, said it took effect immediately and was designed to address falling academic standards and infrastructure deficiencies in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

The freeze aims to channel resources into revitalising existing institutions rather than creating new ones.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stressed that the proliferation of federal institutions had overstretched available resources. “Access to tertiary education is no longer the issue,” he said.

“The challenge is the duplication of institutions, which has stretched resources thin and compromised quality.”

Official figures show that Nigeria operates 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to state-owned and private institutions. Yet, for the 2024/2025 academic year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applicants via the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with 34 recording zero applications.

Polytechnics and colleges of education also saw alarming numbers, with 295 polytechnics and 64 colleges reporting critically low or no applications. Dr. Alausa highlighted one federal university with fewer than 800 students but over 1,200 staff, calling it a clear example of unsustainable resource use.

The decision supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises delivering education that meets global standards. Dr. Alausa said the moratorium period will be used to improve infrastructure, enhance staff recruitment and training, and increase the capacity of existing schools. “We need to ensure our graduates remain competitive globally,” he noted, warning that without reforms, the unemployment crisis could worsen due to skill gaps among graduates.

In a related move, FEC approved the licensing of nine new private universities, based on pending applications previously delayed at the National Universities Commission (NUC). Of 551 applications inherited by the current administration, only 79 remained active, with nine meeting the requirements. Dr. Alausa indicated that a similar moratorium on private universities might be considered in future to safeguard quality.

Reactions have been mixed. Supporters see the decision as a necessary step towards quality over quantity, while critics worry it could reduce access in underserved areas.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has yet to release an official position, though insider sources suggest the union may back the policy if the promised funding is delivered.

Meanwhile, the government has allocated ₦110 billion through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for 18 specialised health universities, marking a targeted approach to addressing key sectoral needs.