The Federal Government has asked the National Assembly to stop considering bills seeking to establish new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, saying the country should focus on improving existing institutions before creating more.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made the appeal in a letter dated November 2, 2026, addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, the minister asked lawmakers to support the Federal Government’s policy of suspending the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions for seven years. The policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2025.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s education sector is facing several challenges, including inadequate lecture halls, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient laboratories, shortages of qualified academic staff and poor accommodation facilities.
He argued that creating more institutions without addressing these problems could place additional pressure on government finances and make it more difficult to provide quality education.
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The development comes as many Nigerian states continue to push for the establishment of federal universities and other higher institutions to improve access to tertiary education.
For students and parents, the possibility of having more universities closer to home is often seen as an opportunity to reduce the cost of education and make admission more accessible.
However, the Federal Government believes that the number of institutions should not be the only measure of progress in the education sector, particularly when many existing universities are still struggling with basic facilities and adequate funding.
The minister’s appeal also comes after the Senate directed its relevant committees to stop processing bills seeking to establish new tertiary institutions, in line with the government’s policy.
Why the Federal Government Wants to Stop Establishing New Universities
The Federal Government’s position is largely based on the financial and operational challenges facing existing public tertiary institutions.
Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed the establishment of several federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. While the expansion has created more opportunities for students, it has also increased the financial responsibilities of the government.
Running a university requires more than providing land and approving an establishment bill. Institutions need lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, hostels, electricity, water supply, teaching equipment and qualified personnel.
They also require regular funding to pay staff salaries, maintain facilities, support research and carry out other academic activities.
According to Alausa, some existing institutions are already dealing with inadequate infrastructure and shortages of qualified personnel.
He warned that distributing limited resources across additional institutions without addressing these problems could further weaken the quality of education.
The minister also raised concerns about government funding commitments to the university sector.
He referred to the revitalisation agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which was valued at ₦1.3 trillion between 2013 and 2018.
According to the figures cited in his letter, only ₦250 billion was released between 2013 and 2021 under the commitment.
He further disclosed that of the additional ₦150 billion approved in 2025 for the Needs Assessment Intervention, only ₦50 billion was initially released.
The minister said these funding gaps raised questions about the government’s ability to properly support additional institutions without guaranteed financial provisions.
He also pointed to existing government interventions, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and other programmes designed to support tertiary education.
The government wants more attention given to improving existing universities and ensuring that they have the resources needed to operate effectively.
What the Decision Means for Students and States
The proposed restriction on establishing new federal tertiary institutions could affect states that have been seeking federal universities and other higher institutions.
For many communities, having a federal university within their state is considered an important step towards improving educational opportunities.
Students who cannot afford to study far from home may benefit from having more institutions within their geographical areas. It can also create opportunities for local businesses and employment around university communities.
However, the Federal Government’s position suggests that new institutions may have to wait while attention is directed towards existing ones.
The development does not mean that Nigeria will permanently stop establishing new universities. The minister explained that the moratorium is intended to give the government time to address existing problems and ensure that future expansion is properly planned and financially sustainable.
Meanwhile, the Senate has taken steps to align its legislative activities with the government’s position.
According to reports from the National Assembly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele directed relevant committees to stop processing bills seeking to establish new universities and other tertiary institutions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also supported the position, noting that some recently established universities were still struggling to secure permanent sites and develop the facilities required for effective academic activities.
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The Senate’s action is significant because it shows that the issue has moved beyond the Ministry of Education’s appeal and is now receiving attention within the legislative arm of government.
For prospective students, the immediate concern remains the availability of admission spaces and the quality of education in existing institutions.
The government will therefore have to demonstrate that improving current universities can also lead to better access, adequate facilities and more opportunities for qualified candidates.
As discussions around the policy continue, students, parents and education stakeholders will be watching how the government balances the need for more admission opportunities with the importance of properly funding existing institutions.
Ultimately, the success of the policy will depend on whether existing universities receive the necessary funding, infrastructure and personnel to provide the standard of education expected by Nigerian students.
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