The Federal Government has imposed a six-year ban on establishing new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to focus on improving quality and sustainability of existing institutions. This decision was made at a Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa stated that the ban aims to support private institutions’ financial sustainability, citing over 2.3 million applicants competing for limited spots in public universities, with fewer than 228,000 securing placements last year.

The government also restored the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC) to full independence, aiming to address Nigeria’s literacy crisis, with plans to educate 50 million young adults and promote digital literacy.