The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a one-year temporary suspension on the creation of new private universities in Nigeria
The Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has declared a one-year pause on the approval of new private universities in Nigeria. He noted that this moratorium could potentially be extended if deemed necessary.
In a statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, it was revealed that Nigeria currently has a total of 129 federal and state universities, alongside 149 private universities. Although private institutions make up more than half of all universities, they are responsible for less than 10% of the total admissions across the university system.
“The Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has announced a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities in Nigeria. This decision is part of efforts to enhance the quality and sustainability of private universities, ensuring that only institutions with the necessary financial and academic capacity are granted licenses.
“Nigeria currently has 129 federal and state universities and 149 private universities. Despite private institutions comprising over 50% of the total universities, they account for less than 10% of overall university admissions. Dr. Alausa emphasized that this statistic underscores the urgent need to regulate the growth of private institutions to ensure they meet the standards required for quality education.
“To address these challenges, the Minister stressed the importance of private universities building adequate capacity and making significant contributions to the education sector. He further noted that new regulations would be introduced to ensure that only well-equipped institutions capable of offering programs aligned with national development priorities are granted operational licenses.
“The Minister also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to review all pending applications for new private universities to assess their viability. This review will ensure that only institutions capable of meeting the demands of 21st-century education are approved.
Additionally, the guidelines for establishing private universities are being updated to improve their overall quality and sustainability.
“The one-year moratorium, which may be extended if necessary, will provide sufficient time for these critical reforms to be fully implemented, ensuring that Nigeria’s higher education system remains robust and sustainable.”