The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday placed a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new tertiary institutions.
It also accorded recognition to medical fellowships as equivalent to doctoral degrees and restored the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education as an independent body.
These form part of reforms in the education sector approved by the Council.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the moratorium on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education was aimed at improving the quality and sustainability of existing tertiary institutions, particularly private universities.
While admitting that the demand for higher education remains high, he said most institutions are struggling with sustainability challenges.
While admitting that the demand for higher education remains high, he said most institutions are struggling with sustainability challenges.
“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.”
Giving statistics to support his position, the minister cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which showed that more than 2.3 million candidates applied for admission into universities last year, while public institutions had fewer than 228,000 available spaces.
