Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has praised the Federal Government’s decision to impose a seven-year moratorium on establishing new public universities in Nigeria, calling it a critical step to strengthen existing institutions.
During a press conference in Jos on Thursday, ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, described the policy as “long overdue” and vital for addressing the unchecked proliferation of universities. “ASUU has consistently advocated for this measure for over a decade, raising alarms about the rise of poorly planned institutions,” Piwuna stated.
He criticized the previous trend of creating universities as “tools of political patronage,” emphasizing that the moratorium is essential to ensure better funding and development of current institutions. “This decision is not only welcome but necessary to safeguard the quality of education,” he added.
Piwuna highlighted Nigeria’s staggering total of 339 universities—72 federal, 108 state, and 159 private—averaging nine universities per state and the Federal Capital Territory. “This figure is excessive, especially when over 30 universities reportedly have zero admission subscriptions,” he remarked, warning that spreading limited resources too thinly compromises educational standards.
ASUU also urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to reassess its recent approval of nine new private universities, stressing that unchecked expansion, whether public or private, threatens the sustainability of Nigeria’s higher education system.
