FG Imposes Six-Year Ban on New Tertiary Institutions

The Federal Government has imposed a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.

The decision was reached at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa announced the development while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting. He said the temporary suspension is intended to strengthen quality and improve the sustainability of existing tertiary institutions.

Alausa said the government believes the growing number of institutions has not translated into sufficient admission opportunities for applicants, while many schools—particularly privately owned ones—face financial pressures.

He cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board showing that more than 2.3 million candidates applied for tertiary admission in the previous admission cycle, but fewer than 228,000 secured places in public universities.

The council also approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC) as a fully independent commission. According to the minister, the move followed a proposal from the commission’s leadership outlining plans to educate more than 50 million young adults within the next two to three years while expanding digital literacy.

Alausa said the government is concerned about the scale of illiteracy in the country, noting that an estimated 56 million Nigerians cannot read or write. He said the commission will expand its activities through radio and television programmes, public advocacy and community-based learning centres, particularly in rural areas.

FEC also approved amendments to the Act establishing the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to recognise medical fellowships as equivalent to a PhD for academic progression.

In addition, the council approved comprehensive insurance coverage for students in the country’s 180 federal unity schools.

The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education was established in 1990 under Decree No. 17 by the military government and later codified as Act No. 18 of 2004 to coordinate national programmes aimed at reducing illiteracy.

In 2025, the National Universities Commission approved 33 new universities, bringing the total number of universities in Nigeria to 309. The newly announced moratorium halts further approvals as the government focuses on strengthening existing institutions.