Senate Halts Bills for New Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education

New Ban on Creation of Federal Tertiary Institutions

The Nigerian Senate declared on 4 November 2026 that it would halt all legislation aimed at creating new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The decision was taken in line with a policy issued by the Federal Government that bans the creation of new tertiary institutions for a period of five to seven years. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele made the announcement during a plenary session in Abuja. He directed the Clerk of the National Assembly and all pertinent committees to cease any additional activity regarding these pieces of legislation. The directive was said to be a direct response to a discussion with President Bola Tinubu. Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed that the President had personally talked to the leadership of the National Assembly about the issue. He stated that the President does not support the establishment of new universities, polytechnics or other tertiary institutions at present, so that existing ones can be given time to develop infrastructure and fully commence academic activities.

Background

The policy that led to the suspension of the bills was introduced by the Federal Government as part of a broader strategy to strengthen existing institutions before expanding the higher‑education sector. The government has previously made efforts to distribute federal tertiary institutions across the country, but concerns have been raised that many recently established universities exist only on paper, lacking permanent sites or completed site clearance. The Senate’s decision comes after more than 200 bills had been presented to the National Assembly seeking the creation of new universities and polytechnics. These bills are now stalled or abandoned as a result of the directive.

Why it Matters

The suspension of new university bills will affect students, faculty and communities that were anticipating the opening of new institutions in their regions. By halting the creation of new universities, the government aims to ensure that existing federal universities receive the necessary resources and infrastructure to operate effectively. The policy also reflects a concern that the rapid expansion of tertiary institutions has led to some universities being established without adequate facilities or permanent sites, potentially compromising the quality of education.

What Happens Next

As stated in the Senate's release, the Clerk of the National Assembly is to guarantee that no proposals for new tertiary institutions appear on the Order Paper going forward. The Senate will continue to focus on the development and consolidation of existing federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The decision is expected to remain in place for the next five to seven years, as stipulated by the Federal Government’s policy. No further details on specific timelines or additional measures were provided in the sources.