In a bid to enhance the quality and sustainability of private universities in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities.
This decision, announced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, aims to ensure that only institutions with the necessary financial and academic capacity are granted licenses. Nigeria currently boasts 129 federal and state universities, alongside 149 private universities.
Despite private institutions making up over 50% of the total universities, they account for less than 10% of overall university admissions. This statistic highlights the urgent need to regulate the growth of private institutions and ensure they meet the required standards for quality education.
To address these challenges, the Minister emphasized the importance of private universities building adequate capacity and making significant contributions to the education sector. New regulations will be introduced to ensure that only well-equipped institutions capable of offering programs aligned with national development priorities are granted operational licenses.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been directed to review all pending applications for new private universities to assess their viability. This review will ensure that only institutions capable of meeting the demands of 21st-century education are approved.
Furthermore, the guidelines for establishing private universities are being updated to improve their overall quality and sustainability. The one-year moratorium, which may be extended if necessary, will provide sufficient time for these critical reforms to be fully implemented, ensuring that Nigeria’s higher education system remains robust and sustainable.
