FEC bans establishment of new federal tertiary institutions for 7 years.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year ban on the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. 

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the decision after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, citing systemic decay caused by unregulated expansion and duplication of institutions.

The Minister explained that the ban aims to address issues such as reduced capacity, infrastructure degradation, and manpower shortages, noting that Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 108 state universities, and 159 private universities, with many operating below capacity. 

During the same meeting, the Council approved nine new private universities out of 79 pending applications, which the Minister explained, had been delayed due to inefficiencies within the National Universities Commission (NUC), although he said, they had since been addressed through reforms. 

Alausa stated that the government will now focus on upgrading existing institutions, improving infrastructure, and increasing capacity to enhance the quality of education and global respect for Nigerian graduates.

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