The Federal Government’s recent decision to halt the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for the next seven years is a policy that may ultimately serve students far more than it appears at first glance.
Announced by Education Minister Tunji Alausa after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, the moratorium aims to tackle chronic underfunding, dilapidated infrastructure, and the shortage of qualified personnel across existing federal tertiary institutions.
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The message is clear: Nigeria’s problem is no longer access to federal tertiary education, but the unchecked proliferation of under-resourced institutions.
Quality over expansion
Over the past two decades, political and regional considerations have driven the creation of new campuses, often without adequate funding or staffing plans.
“Our challenge is no longer access to federal tertiary education, but the proliferation of new institutions without adequate resources,” Dr. Alausa said.
This situation has led to duplication, weakened academic capacity, and a decline in infrastructure. By pausing new projects, the government can consolidate resources, focusing on rehabilitating and upgrading existing schools to ensure they meet modern academic and research standards.
For students, this could translate into smaller class sizes, improved teaching quality, and better learning facilities.
Fixing a broken infrastructure
Years of rapid expansion without matching investment have left many campuses in disrepair. Lecture theatres are overcrowded, laboratories are outdated, and student hostels are unsafe.
The moratorium creates fiscal space for the government to address these issues. Redirecting funds from new projects to renovating old ones could mean functioning libraries, better-equipped laboratories, and reliable power and internet, all essentials for quality education in the 21st century.
Manpower and efficiency
The education minister highlighted inefficiencies that point to structural waste.
In one extreme example, a federal university has fewer than 800 students but 1,200 staff members. Meanwhile, many other schools operate without enough qualified lecturers.
The government can now focus on recruiting, training, and deploying skilled educators to where they are most needed. Students stand to benefit directly from improved supervision, better course delivery, and more access to academic mentors.
Empty classrooms, wasted resources
Data from the Ministry of Education shows that in the 2024/2025 session, 199 universities recorded fewer than 100 applicants through JAMB, and 34 had none.
Among polytechnics, 295 had fewer than 100 applicants, while 64 colleges of education saw zero applicants. Operating such institutions at public expense while better-attended schools struggle for resources is neither sustainable nor fair to students.
The moratorium offers a chance to rationalise the system and ensure funding follows demand.
The test of political will
While the moratorium makes academic sense, its success depends on political discipline.
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Past reforms have faltered when faced with lobbying for new campuses. If the Tinubu administration stays the course and uses the pause for genuine reform, students — present and future — will likely be the ultimate winners.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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