Education Minister Requests 7-Year Halt on New Institutions

The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Tunji Alausa, has submitted a memo dated November 2, 2026, to Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North), requesting a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions. This request follows a Federal Executive Council decision on August 13, 2025, aimed at addressing the proliferation of public tertiary institutions and the government's declining capacity to fund the sector adequately.

Alausa emphasized that the immediate challenge is not merely expanding access but strengthening existing institutions through improved funding and infrastructure. The memo expressed concerns over ongoing legislative proposals for new institutions, warning that spreading limited resources could weaken the quality of education.

Alausa highlighted the Nigerian Government's outstanding financial commitments under the 2013–2018 revitalization agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, where only ₦250 billion of the ₦1.3 trillion was released. He also noted that some state governments have sought federal assistance to sustain their universities financially.