In a move that has sent shockwaves through the academic community, the Federal Government officially announced a six-year moratorium on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Announced on March 5, 2026, by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the policy aims to shift the focus from "access" to "quality." With over 309 universities already in existence—many struggling with low enrollment and poor funding—the government is prioritizing the financial sustainability of existing schools over building new ones.
After nearly two decades of recurring strikes, a "final" peace deal has been reached. The 2026 FG-ASUU Agreement, which took effect on January 1, 2026, has fundamentally restructured the university system:
Salary Boost: Lecturers saw an upward review of salaries by approximately 40%.
Retirement Age: The retirement age for professors is now officially fixed at 70 years.
Stabilization Fund: The government has committed ₦30 billion to a "Stabilization and Restoration Fund," to be disbursed in three annual installments through 2028.
Pensions: Retired professors in public universities will now receive 100% of their annual salary as pension.
While the Port Harcourt zone of ASUU recently raised concerns about "insincerity" in implementation, the national body remains hopeful that this marks the end of the era of "academic calendars in limbo."
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is moving from policy to practice. Two major updates hit the news this week:
Direct Refunds: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria has begun refunding institutional fees to students who had already paid out-of-pocket before their NELFUND loans were disbursed.
E-Wallet Integration: The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has successfully integrated NELFUND into student e-wallets, with the first batch of 90 students receiving nearly ₦14 million in total coverage.