FG Halts New Federal Universities for 7 Years to Tackle Waste and Low Quality

The Federal Government has placed a seven-year freeze on creating new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, saying too many institutions are underused, poorly staffed, and delivering low-quality education.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa said some federal universities have fewer than 2,000 students, with one northern school employing more staff than it has students. Many polytechnics and colleges of education also recorded fewer than 100 applicants last year, with dozens attracting none at all.

Alausa warned that the unchecked spread of such institutions wastes resources, produces poorly prepared graduates, and damages the global reputation of Nigerian degrees.

He said the pause will allow government to upgrade facilities, recruit qualified staff, and expand existing schools instead of creating new ones.

The moratorium also applies to new private polytechnics and colleges of education. However, nine private universities, whose applications had been pending for years and met new quality standards, were approved during the same meeting.