Epe Federal University Approval Preceded Moratorium on New Institutions

Epe Federal University Approval Preceded Moratorium on New Institutions
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the new institution would focus on core science and technology disciplines
Akpabio commended the President for “opening the doors of education nationwide”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State, months before the Federal Government announced a seven-year suspension on creating new federal universities.

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Contrary to reports by some online media outlets, Eko Hot Blog exclusively reports that sources within the Ministry of Education told our reporter that the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, was approved before the policy freeze announced by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

The moratorium was aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps, underutilization, and declining academic standards in existing tertiary institutions.

The announcement of the university’s establishment was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session. Akpabio confirmed that President Tinubu had signed the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe (Establishment) Bill 2025 into law

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“It is my honour to announce that the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe Establishment Bill 2025 has been assented to by Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Akpabio said.

He noted that the Senate had fhorwarded authenticated copies of the bill to the President, who returned two certified copies bearing his signature.

“The Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, has come to stay,” Akpabio declared, congratulating the people of Epe and Lagos State.

Akpabio commended the President for “opening the doors of education nationwide,” describing the approval as part of Tinubu’s commitment to expanding access to specialized higher education.

The bill’s sponsor, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, said the new institution would focus on core science and technology disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, and Civil Engineering, as well as Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, and Data Science fields he described as “critical to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.”

Tinubu Defies Moratorium, Approves Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe

The development, however, comes months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by Tinubu, approved a seven-year freeze on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

At the time, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the moratorium was necessary to address infrastructure gaps, underutilization, and declining academic standards in existing schools.

“Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students,” he said. “If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause new institutions.”

Alausa, however, clarified that nine private universities were recently approved after meeting National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation standards.

He described the education reform as a “reset button” to restore quality across Nigeria’s tertiary system, adding that Tinubu remained committed to providing globally competitive education.