FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CLARIFIES TINUBU’S APPROVAL FOR EPE UNIVERSITY CAME BEFORE MORATORIUM
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) announced its seven-year moratorium on the creation of new federal tertiary institutions.
In a statement issued on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, explained that the approval for the new university was granted through a Presidential Executive Memo ahead of the FEC’s decision.
According to Dr. Alausa, 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 added that the official announcement of the Epe University came later because the Senate went on its 2025 annual recess before passing the establishment bill. The passage was completed upon resumption, resulting in a delay in its transmission to the President for assent.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal tertiary institutions, describing the policy as “sacrosanct and binding.”
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo.
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