Mediaplusng.com – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria. The move is aimed at tackling duplication and improving the quality of existing institutions.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced the decision while briefing journalists after Wednesday’s FEC meeting in Abuja. He said access to tertiary education is no longer a major challenge, but the country is now witnessing unnecessary duplication of institutions, which is reducing the capacity and quality of existing ones.
“In recent times, we have seen many federal tertiary institutions operating below capacity. Some universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education had fewer than 100 applicants in the last JAMB admission exercise,” Mamman stated.
The minister explained that the moratorium will allow the government to strengthen existing facilities, improve teaching quality, and ensure better resource management.
FEC also approved a review and reform of the guidelines for establishing private universities to enhance efficiency and standards in the sector.
