Category: Local

By Kamal Yalwa – August 13, 2025 The Federal Government has imposed a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, citing under-utilisation, overstretched resources, and declining academic standards. The decision, approved at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, followed a presentation by Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa. Alausa told State House correspondents that Nigeria’s tertiary education sector was facing a quality crisis rather than an access problem, with many institutions suffering from low enrolment, inadequate infrastructure, and excessive staffing relative to student numbers. “Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students. In one northern university, 1,200 staff serve fewer than 800 students. This is a waste of government resources,” he said. Statistics from the ministry show that last year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applications through JAMB, with 34 getting none at all. Of the 295 polytechnics in the country, many attracted fewer than 99 applicants, while 64 of 219 colleges of education recorded zero applications. Alausa warned that the proliferation of poorly subscribed institutions risked producing underqualified graduates, tarnishing the reputation of Nigerian degrees internationally, and worsening unemployment. The minister said the moratorium would give government time to focus on upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and expanding the capacity of existing institutions. “If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions,” he stated. Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to hundreds of state-owned and private tertiary institutions. Alausa clarified that the freeze applies only to new federal institutions. The FEC also approved nine new private universities at the meeting, noting that these had already met all licensing and regulatory requirements.

President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to lift the six-month flight ban imposed on Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1). The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) sanctioned KWAM 1 after the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) accused him of breaching aviation rules during boarding for a ValueJet flight (VK 201) from Abuja to Lagos. FAAN spokesperson Obiageli Orah alleged that the 68-year-old musician brought alcohol on board — an act prohibited on domestic flights — sparking an altercation with a flight attendant. The NCAA subsequently placed him on a no-fly list and petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for prosecution. NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the six-month ban, which also affected pilot Oluranti Ogoyi. In an Instagram statement, MC Oluomo likened KWAM 1 to “a prodigal son” who had acknowledged his mistake, apologised, and shown readiness to make amends. “To His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I humbly appeal for mercy towards Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. I also urge NCAA DG Capt. Chris Najomo and Minister Festus Keyamo to temper justice with mercy and lift the ban imposed on K1 and the pilot,” MC Oluomo said. He extended apologies on behalf of the Fuji star to ValueJet CEO Kunle Soname, the airline’s staff, the pilot, and the public, urging authorities to consider KWAM 1’s five-decade contribution to Nigerian music and Yoruba cultural heritage. The appeal comes two days after KWAM 1 personally apologised for the incident, describing it as “unfortunate” and expressing regret over the altercation. Minister Festus Keyamo has, however, condemned the singer’s conduct as “unacceptable,” calling it “a temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides” and warning that such lapses could have led to tragedy.

Five defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges of carrying out the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The suspects were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Federal Government on Monday. After their pleas were taken, the prosecution counsel requested that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the commencement of their trial. The defence counsel raised no objection but asked the court to instruct the DSS to allow the accused access to their legal team and family members. In response, the prosecution assured the court that the DSS would comply with the law and grant the defendants the necessary access. Justice Nwite adjourned the case to August 19, 2025, ordering that the defendants remain in DSS custody until trial begins. The Owo church massacre, which left dozens dead and many injured, remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks in recent years, sparking national and international outrage.