The federal government has approved a six-year suspension on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the temporary ban was introduced to strengthen the quality and sustainability of existing tertiary institutions.
According to the minister, the government is concerned about the rapid growth of higher institutions that lack adequate funding and infrastructure to sustain operations.
He noted that despite the increasing number of universities and other tertiary institutions, many Nigerians still struggle to secure admission into higher education.
Alausa cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board showing that more than 2.3 million candidates applied for admission last year, but fewer than 228,000 were admitted into public universities.
He said the policy is intended to improve educational standards while ensuring that existing public and private institutions remain financially viable and better equipped to deliver quality education.
In a related development, the council approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education as a fully independent commission.
Alausa explained that the move is aimed at tackling Nigeria’s high illiteracy rate, estimated at about 56 million people.
According to him, the commission has presented a plan to educate more than 50 million young adults within the next two to three years while also promoting digital literacy nationwide.
The programme is expected to focus largely on rural communities through radio and television campaigns, as well as the establishment of community learning centres.
The council also approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria Act, recognising medical fellowships as equivalent to a PhD for academic career progression.
Additionally, the government endorsed comprehensive insurance coverage for students in the country’s 180 federal unity schools as part of broader efforts to improve welfare and safety in public education institutions.
