FEC Approves Six-Year Freeze on Establishment of New Universities

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a six-year freeze on the creation of new tertiary institutions across Nigeria as part of sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s education system.

The decision was announced after Wednesday’s council meeting, where several policy measures were adopted to improve the quality and sustainability of higher education institutions, particularly privately owned universities.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that although demand for university education in Nigeria continues to rise, many institutions are currently grappling with operational and financial sustainability challenges.

He said the temporary suspension of approvals for new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education would allow the government to concentrate on strengthening existing institutions and improving the overall standard of education.

According to him, data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) shows that more than 2.3 million candidates applied for admission into universities last year, while public universities were able to provide fewer than 228,000 admission slots.

Alausa noted that the Tinubu administration is determined to raise the standard of education and ensure Nigerian students receive quality learning comparable with global standards.

“We want to ensure that every child and citizen in this country has access to high-quality education that meets international standards,” he said.

The council also approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education as a fully independent commission. The move, the minister said, is designed to tackle Nigeria’s high level of adult illiteracy and expand access to digital and basic education.

He disclosed that Nigeria currently has about 56 million illiterate citizens, stressing that the government intends to educate more than 50 million young adults within the next two to three years while equipping them with digital skills.

“In line with Mr President’s vision to drastically reduce illiteracy, the council approved the restoration of the commission to strengthen its capacity to deliver on this mandate,” he said.

FEC also endorsed an amendment to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act to recognise medical fellowship qualifications as equivalent to doctoral degrees.

Alausa explained that the amendment is intended to remove career barriers faced by highly trained medical specialists who often spend over a decade undergoing rigorous medical training, residency programmes and fellowships but are still required to obtain PhDs before qualifying for professorial roles in universities.

He said once the proposed Executive Bill is passed by the National Assembly, fellows of the National Postgraduate Medical College would have their qualifications officially recognised as equivalent to a PhD.

In addition, the council approved comprehensive insurance coverage for the country’s 180 Federal Unity Schools.