Ministry Of Education Clarifies Pesidential Approval for Epe University Came Before Seven-Year Moratorium on New Institutions

Ministry Of Education Clarifies Pesidential Approval for Epe University Came Before Seven-Year Moratorium on New Institutions

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The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, approved the establishment of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State, before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) adopted its seven-year moratorium on creating new federal tertiary institutions.

In a statement from Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, explained that the President had granted approval through a Presidential Executive Memo prior to the FEC’s decision.

Dr. Alausa noted that the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos; the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kachia, Kaduna State; and the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Tai and Koroma in Ogoni Land, Rivers State, were all approved simultaneously by the President.

He clarified that the announcement of the Epe University came later because the Senate went on its 2025 annual recess before passing the establishment bill. The bill was passed upon resumption, causing a delay in its formal transmission to the President.

The Minister reaffirmed that the Federal Government remains fully committed to enforcing the seven-year moratorium on new federal tertiary institutions, stressing that the moratorium remains sacrosanct and binding.