“Nigerian University Has 800 Students, 1,200 Staff,” Tinubu’s Minister Explains
- The federal government defended the seven-year moratorium imposed on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education
- The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, defended the move and revealed how a university in Nigeria operates with about 1,200 staff members despite having less than 800 students
- Interestingly, Alausa did not disclose the name of the university but he spoke further about how resources are being wasted
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements
The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, has revealed that a federal university in Nigeria has about 1,200 staff members despite having less than 800 students.
Source: Facebook
Mr Alausa’s comments came as he tried to justify the Nigerian government’s decision to place a seven-year ban on the establishment of additional federal tertiary institutions.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the presidential villa on Wednesday, August 13, the minister described such situations as a waste of government resources.
“Let me give you specific examples of one university in one of the regions in the country. They have less than 800 students, and they have a staff strength of 1200,” he said.
“This is the commonality in our federal institutions. Several federal universities today have less than 2000 students. So, it’s just a waste of government resources.”
As reported by Premium Times, Mr Alausa did not name the university. However, it is likely to be one of the newly established federal universities.
Source: Facebook
FG approves 9 new private varsities
Legit.ng earlier reported that Tinubu-led federal government on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, approved the establishment of nine new private universities.
The minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said Tinubu administration inherited 551 pending applications for the establishment of tertiary institutions.
Alausa said the 551 pending applications were reduced to 79 active cases after being subjected to stricter guidelines from which the nine universities were approved.
“Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have since introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are a result of clearing this backlog.”
Tinubu bans creation of federal universities, others
Recall that the federal government announced the suspension of the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Alausa said that the initiative by Tinubu's administration was aimed at putting an end to duplications and waste.
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10 most expensive private universities in Nigeria
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that some top private universities in Nigeria are being funded by prominent personalities, including politicians and men of God.
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, RCCG's Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo and the late Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe are the owners of some of the most expensive private universities in Nigeria.
Legit.ng compiled the list of these private institutions, the programmes they offer and the tuition fees for each of their programmes.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
