The Nigerian government opposes nearly 200 proposed new universities by the National Assembly, citing the need to strengthen existing institutions instead. Education Minister Tunji Alausa stresses the importance of rebuilding university capacities and highlights ongoing support programs for vulnerable students.
The Nigerian government has officially opposed the National Assembly’s proposals for the establishment of nearly 200 new universities. This concern arises from the potential overwhelming effect these proposals might have on the higher education system. Education Minister Tunji Alausa articulated these concerns during the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Abuja, underscoring the importance of prioritizing the capacity of existing institutions over the creation of new ones.
Earlier this year, Minister Alausa announced a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities. This initiative aims to enhance the quality and sustainability of current institutions, ensuring that licenses are only granted to those with adequate financial and academic resources. Alausa stressed the need to strengthen existing universities instead of adding more to an already pressured system.
Minister Alausa remarked, “Today, I can tell you that there are almost 200 bills in the National Assembly. We can’t continue like this. Even though we have a lot of them, the capacity for a university to admit is not there.” He emphasized that the focus should be on rebuilding capacities to provide more viable educational courses to students, rather than simply increasing the number of institutions.
Additionally, he acknowledged the pressures faced by lawmakers wanting to demonstrate their productivity but indicated that sufficient opportunities already exist within the current university framework. “What we now need to do is to begin to mobilise more resources to develop infrastructures, build engineering workshops, build laboratories in these universities,” he stated, highlighting the necessity of recruiting qualified faculty and improving educational standards across the country.
Furthermore, Minister Alausa noted that the government is implementing measures to support almajirai by providing school feeding programs, vocational training, and grants for Tsangaya and Quranic teachers, which represents a commitment to improving educational outcomes.
The Nigerian government remains firmly against the proposals for nearly 200 new universities, focusing instead on enhancing existing institutions. The Minister of Education emphasizes the urgency of improving capacity and educational quality over expansion, reinforcing that sufficient opportunities already exist. The government also aims to provide additional support for vulnerable student populations, thereby fostering a more efficient educational environment overall.
Original Source: www.tv360nigeria.com
