The Federal Government has asked the National Assembly to suspend the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country for seven years.
The government said the proposed restriction was necessary to address the growing challenges facing existing tertiary institutions, particularly inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, shortage of lecturers and declining academic facilities.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made the appeal in a memorandum dated November 2, 2026, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate Majority Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, was also copied in the communication.
Alausa urged the Senate leadership and other members of the National Assembly to exercise restraint in considering bills seeking the establishment of additional federal tertiary institutions during the proposed seven-year period.
The minister explained that the Federal Executive Council had already approved the moratorium at its meeting on August 13, 2025.
He said the decision formed part of the government’s broader efforts to address the increasing number of public tertiary institutions and prevent unnecessary duplication of academic programmes.
According to him, Nigeria must first address the problems affecting existing institutions before committing more public resources to establishing additional ones.
He maintained that the continued creation of universities and other higher institutions without adequate financial backing could worsen the difficulties already confronting the education sector.
“The Federal Government’s position is that the immediate challenge confronting the tertiary education sector is not merely the expansion of access but the urgent need to strengthen existing institutions,” he stated.
The minister identified several problems affecting federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
These include insufficient lecture halls, overcrowded classrooms, poorly equipped laboratories, inadequate student accommodation and deteriorating infrastructure.
He also raised concerns about the shortage of qualified academic staff, explaining that existing institutions were already struggling to provide the personnel and facilities required to deliver quality education.
Alausa warned that establishing more institutions under the current conditions would further divide available resources and make it difficult for the government to meet its existing responsibilities.
He said the seven-year moratorium would provide an opportunity to consolidate previous investments, improve the capacity of operational institutions and address infrastructure and manpower shortages.
The education minister also drew attention to the financial commitments already facing the Federal Government, particularly its outstanding obligations under agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He disclosed that the government pledged N1.3 trillion under the 2013–2018 Federal Government-ASUU revitalisation agreement.
However, only N250 billion was reportedly released between 2013 and 2021.
He further revealed that an additional N150 billion was approved in 2025 for the Needs Assessment Intervention, but the initial amount released was N50 billion.
According to Alausa, the figures demonstrate the financial difficulties associated with maintaining existing institutions, raising questions about the government’s ability to adequately fund additional universities and other tertiary institutions.
“These funding gaps demonstrate the difficulty of meeting existing obligations and raise legitimate concerns about the capacity to sustain additional institutions without corresponding and guaranteed budgetary provisions,” he stated.
The minister argued that the government must avoid creating institutions that could eventually become difficult to maintain because of insufficient funding.
He also cited developments in Ekiti and Imo states to illustrate the financial and administrative difficulties that could arise from establishing several tertiary institutions without sustainable funding arrangements.
Alausa recalled that three state-owned universities in Ekiti were consolidated into one institution, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 2011.
He also referenced institutional reviews and integration exercises undertaken by the Imo State Government following the establishment of multiple tertiary institutions under previous administrations.
The minister further claimed that some state governments had approached the Federal Government over possible takeovers of their universities because of difficulties financing their operations.
He warned that institutions established without proper financial planning could eventually require mergers, restructuring or closure, creating additional financial responsibilities for future governments.
“The institutions established without sustainable funding arrangements may subsequently require costly restructuring, merger or integration by successor administrations,” he cautioned.
To support the proposed policy, Alausa pointed to developments in other countries, including Australia, Finland, Japan, the United States and South Africa.
He said some of these countries had adopted institutional mergers and consolidation as part of efforts to address funding challenges, eliminate duplication of programmes and improve administrative efficiency.
According to him, such measures could strengthen institutional management, improve research capacity and ensure better utilisation of available resources.
The minister maintained that Nigeria should prioritise the survival and development of existing tertiary institutions rather than focus mainly on increasing their numbers.
He also warned that the continuous establishment of new institutions could affect other government programmes designed to improve education and support students and workers in the sector.
Among the interventions he mentioned were projects funded through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), vocational and skills acquisition programmes, and allowances introduced for academic and non-academic personnel.
These include the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Tools Allowance (CONTTA).
Alausa explained that establishing a university or polytechnic required substantial financial commitments beyond the passage of an enabling law by the National Assembly.
He noted that the process involved acquiring land, providing take-off grants, constructing academic buildings, recruiting lecturers and administrative personnel, purchasing equipment and ensuring regular funding for electricity, water and other operational expenses.
He said such responsibilities would continue for several years and would require consistent financial support from successive administrations.
The minister therefore warned against passing establishment bills without proper feasibility studies, evidence of national educational needs and clear plans for long-term funding.
“Such institutions may eventually become financial liabilities, compelling future administrations to undertake costly mergers, restructuring or outright closure, with attendant consequences for students, staff, public investments and the national education system,” he stated.
He said the government intended to use the proposed seven-year period to improve existing federal institutions, address shortages of academic personnel, upgrade infrastructure and strengthen academic standards.
Alausa also maintained that any decision to establish additional institutions in the future must be supported by proper financial and administrative arrangements.
He consequently appealed directly to the Senate President and other leaders of the National Assembly to support the policy by suspending legislative activities aimed at creating more federal tertiary institutions during the period.
“In view of the foregoing, I respectfully appeal to Your Excellency and the distinguished leadership of the National Assembly to support the Federal Government’s seven-year moratorium by exercising restraint in the consideration and passage of Bills for the establishment of additional Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education during the period,” he stated.
The minister acknowledged the constitutional powers of the National Assembly to initiate and pass legislation establishing federal institutions.
However, he urged lawmakers to consider the financial implications and actual educational needs of the country before approving such proposals.
He further argued that the success of Nigeria’s education system should not be judged by the number of universities, polytechnics and colleges established but by the quality of education they provide.
“The success of our education system should be measured not merely by the number of institutions established but by the capacity of existing institutions to deliver high-quality education, produce competent graduates and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added.