A six-year moratorium has been imposed on the establishment of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, announced this after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, saying the decision was meant to raise the quality of education in the country.
Alausa said a moratorium had earlier been placed on the establishment of private universities last year, adding that new directive now affects all tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The minister said Nigeria is more concerned about improving quality.
He said “the memo approved by council today is the placement of a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions—universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
“Access is no longer the major issue in the country. We have many tertiary institutions, both public and private. We need to help private institutions remain financially sustainable.” he said.
About 2.3 million Nigerians applied to sit for JAMB examinations last year, he said, adding that annually 228 universities recorded fewer than 50 applicants each.
He said with the new agreement with g the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), more students will enroll in public universities, which could further reduce patronage of private institutions.
According to him, there was the need to protect investments made by private proprietors while improving quality in both public and private institutions, adding that the FEC approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, earlier downgraded to a department within the ministry.
He said the move was to make over 50 million Nigerians digitally literate within the next two to three years., adding that with about 56 million Nigerians still illiterate, reverting the commission to its former status would strengthen efforts to promote adult and non-formal education, particularly in rural communities through radio, television, advocacy and dedicated learning centres.
