••Moratorium Aims to Enhance Quality and Sustainability of Existing Institutions
By John Audu, Abuja .
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a one-year suspension on the creation of new private universities in Nigeria. Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, stated that this pause may be extended. The decision comes as Nigeria currently has 129 federal and state universities and 149 private universities. Despite comprising over half of all universities, private institutions account for less than 10% of total university admissions.
According to a statement released by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, the moratorium aims to improve the quality and sustainability of private universities. Minister Alausa emphasized the need for these institutions to build capacity and contribute significantly to the education sector. New regulations will be implemented to ensure that only well-equipped institutions offering programs aligned with national development priorities receive licenses.
The Minister has directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to review all pending applications for new private universities. This review will assess their viability and ensure they can meet the demands of 21st-century education. Furthermore, the guidelines for establishing private universities are being updated to enhance their overall quality and sustainability. The one-year moratorium, which may be extended, will allow time for these reforms to be fully implemented.