President Bola Tinubu has approved a nationwide halt on the creation of new federal tertiary institutions for the next seven years.
The decision, which applies to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, was endorsed during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following a presentation by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
FEC, however, approved nine new universities despite the freeze.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said that the move is aimed at addressing deep-seated challenges in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
He noted that the key concern is no longer access to federal tertiary education but the unchecked proliferation of institutions, which has weakened existing infrastructure and depleted skilled manpower.
“Our problem today is not about getting into a federal university or polytechnic,” Alausa explained. “It is the duplication of institutions that is crippling the system — reducing capacity, overstretching facilities, and draining human resources. Without urgent intervention, we risk a sharp decline in educational standards and the global credibility of our graduates.”
The Minister added that the government’s focus over the moratorium period will be on revitalizing existing federal institutions, boosting infrastructure, enhancing staff strength, and expanding their capacity to meet growing educational demands.
