Nigeria seeks seven-year freeze on new federal universities and polytechnics

Nigeria’s Federal Government has asked the National Assembly to stop approving bills to establish new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for seven years. Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa made the request in a memo dated November 2, 2026, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and copied to Senate Majority Leader Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.

The minister said the Federal Executive Council had already approved the moratorium at its meeting on August 13, 2025. He argued that the country must first strengthen existing institutions before creating more.

“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.”

Alausa cited severe funding shortages, decaying infrastructure, inadequate manpower and overcrowded classrooms as major problems. He also mentioned insufficient lecture halls, poorly equipped laboratories, inadequate student accommodation and deteriorating facilities.

The government warned that continuing to establish new institutions without guaranteed funding would deepen the crisis in the sector. It said existing institutions struggle to provide basic academic facilities.

The memo, marked FME/DUE/NASS/153/Vol.1/147, was sighted in Abuja on Friday. It highlighted billions of naira in outstanding revitalisation commitments yet to be met.

Alausa stated that Nigeria’s immediate challenge is not merely expanding access but urgently strengthening existing institutions. He urged the Senate leadership and other lawmakers to exercise restraint during the proposed seven-year period.