Nigeria TV Info

ABUJA — The Federal Government has announced a seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The decision, revealed on Wednesday, is aimed at curbing the unchecked proliferation of under-utilised institutions, which has led to inefficiencies, poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and declining student enrollment across Nigeria’s federal tertiary education system.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the minister, access to tertiary education in Nigeria is no longer the major challenge; rather, the duplication of federal institutions has stretched resources too thin, leaving some universities operating far below capacity.

He cited an example of a northern university with 1,200 staff catering to fewer than 800 students. Currently, Nigeria has 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education. Worryingly, 199 universities recorded fewer than 100 applicants through JAMB last year, with 34 recording zero applications.

Similarly, many polytechnics and colleges of education also suffered low interest, with 64 colleges of education having no applicants at all.

Dr. Alausa said the moratorium would enable the government to refocus resources on improving existing institutions by upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and expanding their carrying capacity.