Chidimma Uchegbu – Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has vowed to sanction Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education who established satellite campuses without prior approval of their respective regulatory agencies.
Director, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Boriowo the Minister’s directive was contained in a memo dated May 30, 2025, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the regulatory agencies, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Colleges of Education (NCCE).
The Minister expressed serious concern over the growing trend of unregulated and unjustified establishment of satellite campuses by Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
According to him, many of these newly created Satellite campuses lack the necessary academic, strategic, and infrastructural backing to justify their existence.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the unapproved proliferation of satellite campuses undermines the integrity, quality, and sustainability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
“Rather than focusing on improving existing campuses, some Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts are diverting limited resources to set up inadequately equipped new Satellite campuses, which is counterproductive and detrimental to educational standards,” he said.
He further directed the three regulatory agencies, NUC, NBTE and NCCE to formally inform all Federal Tertiary Institutions under their purview that henceforth, no satellite campus is to be established without his express approval through the regulatory agencies. He also stressed that failure to comply with the directive will not be treated lightly and will attract appropriate disciplinary measures.
“The Federal Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, remains committed to upholding the standards of higher education in Nigeria and ensuring that every expansion within our tertiary education system is strategically planned, well-resourced, and aligned with national development goals”, the statement concluded.
