By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has announced a six-year freeze on the establishment of new tertiary institutions across Nigeria, saying that the move aimed at strengthening quality and improving sustainability, especially among private institutions in the country.
The decision was taken at the Wednesday Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The announcement came months after the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved 33 new universities in 2025, bringing the total number of universities in the country to 309.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known while briefing journalists after the meeting, noting that Nigeria already had a large number of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, while many were struggling financially.
He cited figures from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), revealing that over 2.3 million candidates applied for admission last year, while fewer than 228,000 gained admission into public universities.
The gap, he noted, showed that access remained a major issue despite the growing number of institutions.
In a related development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had restored the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC) to its full status as an independent commission.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed that about 56 million Nigerians were still classified as illiterate.
He said NMEC plans to roll out aggressive literacy campaigns, especially in rural communities, using radio, television, advocacy drives and community learning centres.
Council also approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act to recognise medical fellowships as equivalent to a PhD for academic progression.
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