By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Bola Tinubu and Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa |
The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approvals for three new specialized universities were granted months before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) imposed a seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal tertiary institutions.
This clarification comes in response to earlier media reports that suggested the President's recent signing of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, establishment bill contravened the government's own policy. The ministry has moved to dispel notions of a policy inconsistency, providing a detailed timeline of the approvals.
According to the ministry, a single executive memo signed by President Tinubu prior to the FEC’s decision included the establishment of not only the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State, but also the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kachia, Kaduna State, and the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Tai and Koroma, Ogoniland, Rivers State.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had previously defended the seven-year suspension as a necessary measure to address critical challenges within the existing education sector. He cited widespread infrastructural deficits, chronic underutilization, and declining academic standards as the primary reasons for the pause.
“Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students,” Dr. Alausa stated. “If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause new institutions.”
The recent announcement of the Epe university’s establishment followed its formal passage into law. Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed last week that President Tinubu had signed the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe (Establishment) Bill 2025.
The Ministry explained that the delay between the initial executive approval and the final presidential assent was purely procedural. The Senate had entered its annual recess before the bill's final passage, which postponed its formal transmission to the President for signing, an event that only occurred earlier this month.
The newly established Federal University of Science and Technology in Epe is designed as a specialized institution focused on driving innovation in critical, modern fields. Its curriculum will center on emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, and data science. This strategic focus aligns with Nigeria’s national digital economy objectives and complements the growing industrial corridor around Epe and Ibeju-Lekki.
In a firm statement, the Ministry of Education reiterated its full commitment to the seven-year ban. Folasade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations, stated, “The Federal Government remains fully committed to enforcing the seven-year moratorium on establishment of new federal tertiary institutions, and this moratorium remains sacrosanct.”