The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, in a sweeping reform package aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the decision on Wednesday after the Council meeting, saying the pause is designed to consolidate and improve the quality and sustainability of existing institutions, particularly in the private sector.
According to him, while demand for university education remains high, many institutions are grappling with financial and structural challenges that threaten standards.
Nigeria recorded over 2.3 million applications for university admission last year, based on data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), yet public universities were able to offer fewer than 228,000 admission slots. Despite the shortfall, the minister maintained that expansion without consolidation would further strain the system.
He said the moratorium would enable government to focus on raising academic standards, enhancing infrastructure and ensuring long-term viability across tertiary institutions.
The Council also approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education as an independent commission, a move the minister described as critical to addressing the country’s alarming literacy gap.
Alausa said about 56 million Nigerians remain illiterate, underscoring the urgency of intervention. He noted that the Tinubu administration plans to equip over 50 million young adults with basic and digital literacy skills within the next two to three years.
In another major policy shift, FEC approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act to recognise medical fellowship qualifications as equivalent to doctoral degrees.
The proposed amendment, which will be transmitted to the National Assembly as an Executive Bill, seeks to remove career limitations faced by medical specialists who undergo prolonged years of training, residency and fellowship but are required to obtain PhDs to qualify for professorial appointments.
“These professionals spend more years in specialised training than the average PhD holder. There is a need to harmonise the system,” the minister said.
Additionally, Council approved comprehensive insurance coverage for 180 Federal Unity Schools across the country.
The reforms, the minister said, align with the administration’s commitment to raising educational standards and expanding access to quality learning nationwide.
