The Federal Government has warned tertiary institutions, notably universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, against establishing and operating satellite campuses that are not approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement on Wednesday, directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE) and National Colleges of Education (NCCE) to ensure strict compliance with the directive to avoid sanctions.
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, stating that severe sanctions await defaulting institutions.
The Minister noted that many of the newly created satellite campuses lack the necessary academic, strategic, and infrastructural backing to justify their existence, hence the decision to shut them down.
“This 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,” the Minister stated.
Dr Alausa 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 the express approval of the Minister of Education through these regulatory agencies.
He further stressed that failure to comply with the directive will not be treated lightly and will attract appropriate disciplinary measures.
“We remain 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.
