Education Minister Alausa Calls for Moratorium on New Universities

Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, has formally requested Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North) to halt the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for seven years. This request is based on the alarming funding situation, where only N250 billion of the N1.3 trillion promised for revitalizing public universities from 2013 to 2018 was released.

Additionally, of the N150 billion approved in 2025 for Needs Assessment Intervention, only N50 billion was disbursed. Alausa emphasized that the current funding model is leading to the deterioration of existing institutions due to inadequate facilities and resources.

He noted that the Federal Executive Council had approved the moratorium on August 13, 2025, to address the proliferation of institutions and improve the quality of education. Alausa cited examples from Ekiti and Imo States to illustrate the consequences of establishing institutions without sustainable funding.

He urged for a focus on consolidating existing investments rather than expanding the number of institutions.