Tinubu okays establishment of new federal university in Lagos

President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of the Federal University of Science and Technology in Epe, Lagos State, marking a significant development in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The approval comes despite an existing seven-year government suspension on establishing new federal tertiary institutions. This decision signals a strategic move by the administration to strengthen science, technology, and innovation-driven education in the country.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during Thursday’s plenary session, confirming that President Tinubu has signed the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe (Establishment) Bill 2025 into law.

“It is my honour to announce that the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe establishment bill 2025 has been assented to by Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Akpabio said.

He explained that the Senate had earlier transmitted authenticated copies of the bill to the president, who returned two certified copies bearing his signature.

“Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe establishment has come to stay,” Akpabio declared, extending congratulations to the people of Epe and Lagos State.

The Senate President also lauded the president for “opening the doors of education nationwide,” describing the new law as part of the administration’s broader effort to increase access to specialized higher education.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill’s sponsor, said the institution would deliver top-tier training in key science and technology disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, and Civil Engineering, as well as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science — all crucial to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

However, the development comes just months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by Tinubu, announced a seven-year freeze on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

At the time, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa said the measure was necessary to tackle challenges of under-utilization, poor infrastructure, and falling academic standards across existing institutions.

“Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students,” he noted, describing the situation as a drain on government resources.“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.”

The minister clarified that the moratorium covered both public and private universities, although nine private institutions were later approved after meeting the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s strict accreditation standards.