The Federal Government has approved a seven-year suspension on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Alausa said the moratorium became necessary due to the proliferation of under-utilised institutions, overstretched facilities, and declining academic standards.
According to him, resources will be channelled into consolidating and improving existing institutions rather than creating new ones.
“The decision will allow us to strengthen our current universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education by improving infrastructure, recruiting more qualified staff, and enhancing the quality of teaching and research,” he said.
The minister noted that the government would focus on addressing issues such as inadequate funding, obsolete equipment, and overcrowded classrooms in the nation’s higher education system.
He added that the suspension applies only to federal institutions, and that state governments remain at liberty to establish new schools at their discretion.
