By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A seven-year ban has been placed by the Federal Government on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.
Despite the restriction, it approved nine new universities.
Education Minister Maruf Alausa told reporters after yesterday’s FEC meeting that the ban was informed by the rising number of under-utilised tertiary institutions, overstretched resources and a drop in academic quality.
Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 42, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to hundreds of state-owned and private tertiary institutions, as well as specialised schools such as colleges of agriculture, health sciences, and nursing.
Alausa explained that the challenge in the nation’s tertiary education system was no longer access but inefficient duplication, poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and dwindling enrolments.
He said: “Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students. In one northern university, 1,200 staff members are serving fewer than 800 students. This is a waste of government resources.”
According to him, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) last year, with 34 recording zero applications.
Of the 295 polytechnics nationwide, many had fewer than 99 applicants. The 219 colleges of education also posted poor enrolment figures, including 64 with no applications.
Alausa warned that unchecked proliferation of poorly subscribed institutions could result in the country having ill-prepared graduates, erosion of the value of degrees internationally, and a worse unemployment rate.
“If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions,” said the minister.