MORATORIUM ON PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

The article discusses the recent moratorium on the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Despite accusations of hypocrisy due to the creation of fewer than 12 institutions in the last two years, the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, declared the moratorium necessary to address the unchecked duplication of institutions leading to inefficiency, poor infrastructure, and declining student enrollment.

The Federal Executive Council approved the moratorium to cover admissions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Alausa highlighted the need to focus resources on improving existing institutions rather than creating new ones.

The article emphasizes the urgent need for a total overhaul of the tertiary education sector in Nigeria, citing issues such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of qualified academic staff, and declining quality of education. Stakeholders are concerned about the limited skilled human resources, brain drain, and compromised quality of education in the country.

The article calls for pragmatic solutions to address the challenges facing the tertiary education sector in Nigeria.