The Federal Government has imposed a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
The decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the temporary ban was aimed at strengthening quality, improving sustainability and consolidating capacity in existing tertiary institutions.
He noted that although Nigeria had recorded a surge in the number of public and private tertiary institutions, access to quality education remained a challenge.
According to him, over 2.3 million candidates applied for admission through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) last year, but fewer than 228,000 secured placements in public universities.
“Today, access is not easy in the country. We have lots of tertiary institutions, both public and private. We need to help these private institutions be sustainable financially,” the minister said.
Alausa said the council also restored the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC) to its full status as an independent commission.
He explained that the restoration followed the presentation of an agenda by the commission’s leadership to educate over 50 million young adults within the next two to three years and enhance their digital literacy.
The minister expressed concern over the country’s literacy rate, stating that about 56 million Nigerians were currently classified as illiterate.
“We can’t continue to have a high number of citizens that are illiterate,” he said, adding that NMEC would intensify outreach in rural communities through radio, television, public advocacy and community-based learning centres.
Alausa further disclosed that FEC approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act to recognise medical fellowships as equivalent to a PhD for academic progression.
He added that council also granted comprehensive insurance coverage for 180 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2025, the National Universities Commission approved 33 new universities, bringing the total number of universities in the country to 309.
The latest measures, the minister said, are part of efforts by the Federal Government to reposition the education sector for improved standards, access and long-term sustainability.
