Education
FEC Approves Six-Year Moratorium on New Tertiary Institutions
FEC approves six-year moratorium on new tertiary institutions, recognises medical fellowships, and restores national literacy commission
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions, while recognising medical fellowships as equivalent to doctoral degrees and restoring the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education as an independent body.
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Briefing journalists after the FEC meeting, Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa explained that the moratorium on universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education aims to improve quality and sustainability, particularly in private institutions.
“Today, access is not easy in the country. We have lots of tertiary institutions, both public and private, but we need to help these private institutions become financially sustainable,” Alausa said.
He cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board showing that more than 2.3 million candidates applied for university admission last year, while public institutions had fewer than 228,000 available spaces.
The minister emphasised that the pause will enable the government to strengthen existing institutions and enhance educational standards nationwide.
“I am committed to ensuring that every single child and citizen of this country receives the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world,” he added.
On the restoration of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Alausa said the move is part of the administration’s plan to address Nigeria’s literacy challenges and equip citizens with digital and basic education skills.
“In view of Mr President’s expansive agenda to educate over 50 million young adults in the next two to three years and make them digitally literate, we sought the approval of the council to revert it back to a commission,” he said.
The minister also confirmed that FEC approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act to recognise medical fellowship qualifications as equivalent to PhD degrees.
He noted that doctors often spend over a decade in medical training, residency, and fellowship programmes but still require a PhD for professorial appointments, a situation the reform aims to harmonise.
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Alausa added that comprehensive insurance coverage was approved for the country’s 180 Federal Unity Schools, further reflecting the administration’s commitment to raising standards across Nigeria’s education sector.
Governor Dauda Lawal has distributed official vehicles to higher institutions to strengthen the capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of Zamfara State’s education system.
The distribution of the official vehicles was held on Friday at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
A statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the vehicles are institutional assets and operational tools to support administration, supervision, accreditation, official engagements, and other legitimate responsibilities of the benefiting institutions.
The statement noted that institutions and offices allocated brand-new vehicles are Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, and Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara.
Other beneficiaries are the College of Nursing & Midwifery, Gusau; the Teachers Service Board; the Senior Secondary School Board; Quality Assurance; ZACAS; and other State Government Public Institutions.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated that the initiative will increase the productivity of Zamfara State public office holders by providing reliable transportation, enabling them to deliver services more effectively and quickly.
He said, “It is important to emphasise that these vehicles are not personal entitlements for any office holder. They remain the property of the Zamfara State Government and must be used responsibly and strictly for official purposes.
“I expect institutions to be responsible for custody, deployment, maintenance, and documentation. Heads will be accountable for misuse, unauthorised use, or unnecessary deterioration of assets.
“As the government invests in education, we must foster a culture of maintenance and accountability. Public assets should provide value throughout their life. We must commit to higher standards of service, emphasising transparency and accountability.
“Our administration will continue to provide the infrastructure, equipment, and institutional support needed to improve higher education in Zamfara State. In return, we expect responsible leadership, prudent management, and measurable improvements in academic and administrative performance.”
Governor Lawal further congratulated the benefiting institutions and urged them to ensure that the vehicles serve the institutions, students, and the people of Zamfara State rather than individual interests.
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