The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has issued a strong warning to Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education nationwide, declaring that the establishment of satellite campuses without prior approval from relevant regulatory agencies will attract strict sanctions.

This directive was conveyed in a memo dated May 30, 2025, addressed to the Executive Secretaries of the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

Dr. Alausa expressed deep concern over what he described as a rising trend of unauthorized and unjustified creation of satellite campuses by some federal tertiary institutions.

He noted that many of these campuses lack the required academic, infrastructural, and strategic foundations, posing a serious threat to the quality and sustainability of Nigeria’s higher education system.

“Rather than focusing on strengthening existing campuses, some Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts are diverting scarce resources to establish inadequately equipped new satellite campuses. This practice is not only counterproductive but also detrimental to educational standards,” the Minister stated.

The Minister directed the three regulatory agencies—NUC, NBTE, and NCCE—to immediately communicate to all federal tertiary institutions under their jurisdiction that henceforth, no satellite campus should be established without the express approval of the Minister of Education, obtained through the relevant agency.

Dr. Alausa warned that any institution found violating this directive will face appropriate disciplinary measures.

He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to maintaining high standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector and ensuring that all institutional expansions are properly planned, adequately resourced, and aligned with national development priorities.