Title: FG Places Six-Year Moratorium on New Private Universities to Boost Quality Date Published: 05 March 2026 Description: The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education as part of reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s tertiary education system.The decision was announced after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), where key measures were adopted to improve quality, sustainability and access within the education sector.Briefing journalists at the State House, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa said the temporary ban is intended to allow the government concentrate on stabilising and improving existing institutions, particularly privately owned universities which are facing sustainability challenges.According to the minister, although the demand for higher education in Nigeria remains extremely high, many institutions struggle with funding and operational stability. He noted that while the country has numerous public and private tertiary institutions, strengthening the financial viability and quality of existing schools must take priority.Citing data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Alausa revealed that more than 2.3 million candidates applied for university admission last year, while public universities were only able to offer fewer than 228,000 admission spaces.He explained that the moratorium would enable the government to focus on improving infrastructure, academic standards and overall quality across existing institutions, adding that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to delivering globally competitive education for Nigerian students.As part of the reforms, FEC also approved the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education as a full-fledged commission. The minister said the move aligns with the government’s broader plan to address Nigeria’s literacy gap and equip millions of citizens with basic and digital education skills.Alausa disclosed that about 56 million Nigerians are currently illiterate, stressing that the government aims to educate more than 50 million young adults within the next two to three years under the administration’s literacy expansion programme.In addition, the council approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria Act to recognise medical fellowship qualifications as equivalent to doctoral degrees. The proposal, once passed by the National Assembly of Nigeria, will address career limitations faced by highly specialised medical professionals seeking professorial positions in universities.The minister noted that medical doctors often spend more than a decade undergoing rigorous training, residency and fellowship programmes, yet are still required to obtain a PhD before qualifying for academic promotions, a situation the government intends to correct.FEC also approved comprehensive insurance coverage for the country’s 180 Federal Unity Schools, a move designed to strengthen protection and welfare for students and staff in the institutions. Attached Images: b3804aee436f7eb5a1f8f1095dbabbfcf92c19f582c325cca97fcc3278df7ae3.jpg Attached Video: None