Senate Suspends Consideration Of New University Bills Over FG’s Six-Year Moratorium

The Nigerian Senate has directed its committees to suspend consideration of bills seeking to establish new universities and other tertiary institutions in the country, following the Federal Government’s six-year moratorium on the creation of new higher institutions.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced the directive during plenary on Wednesday, saying the policy was intended to allow existing universities and other tertiary institutions to strengthen their infrastructure and improve academic standards.

The directive affects the Senate Committees on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

NIMC Reveals How Nigerians Can Download NIN Slip Free Through NINAuth App

Senate Directs Committees To Stop Processing New University Bills

Bamidele asked the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, to formally communicate the Federal Government’s policy to lawmakers to prevent the presentation of bills that contradict the directive.

He also advised committees responsible for education matters to stop forwarding proposals seeking the establishment of new tertiary institutions for consideration during plenary sessions.

According to the Senate Leader, the decision is necessary to ensure that existing institutions consolidate their operations before additional universities are established.

Why Federal Government Introduced Six-Year Moratorium

The Senate’s directive follows the Federal Government’s decision to introduce a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new universities and other higher institutions.

The policy is aimed at addressing concerns over the proliferation of universities and the challenges facing existing institutions, particularly inadequate infrastructure, funding and academic resources.

Bamidele explained that the government had already made efforts to distribute universities across different parts of the country, making it necessary to strengthen existing investments.

He said:

“The policy is necessary to allow existing universities and other tertiary institutions to consolidate their operations and improve infrastructure before additional institutions were considered.

“I also advised education committees to avoid presenting bills seeking the establishment of new institutions for consideration during plenary.

“The Federal Government had made efforts to distribute universities across different parts of the country, making it necessary to consolidate existing investments.”

Implications For Nigeria’s Higher Education Sector

The development is expected to affect lawmakers and political stakeholders seeking the establishment of additional federal tertiary institutions in their constituencies.

It also signals a shift in government policy towards improving the quality, infrastructure and operational capacity of existing universities rather than continuing to expand their numbers.

The six-year moratorium is expected to provide an opportunity for existing institutions to address infrastructure gaps and strengthen their academic programmes.