The Nigerian Government has declared that any satellite campus established federal-owned tertiary institutions without prior approval through their respective regulatory agencies, which are the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE) and National Colleges of Education (NCCE) will face strict sanctions.
The declaration was contained in a memo addressed to the Executive Secretary of the regulatory agencies, in which the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, expressed serious concern over the growing trend of unregulated and unjustified establishment of satellite campuses by Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
According to the Minister in a statement by the Director of Press of the Ministry, Boriowo Folashade, many of these newly created Satellite campuses lack the necessary academic, strategic, and infrastructural backing to justify their existence.
Alausa emphasised that the unapproved proliferation of satellite campuses undermines the integrity, quality, and sustainability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
“Rather than focusing on improving existing campuses, some Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts are diverting limited resources to set up inadequately equipped new Satellite campuses, which is counterproductive and detrimental to educational standards,” said the Minister.
Alausa directed the three regulatory agencies, NUC, NBTE and NCCE, to formally inform all Federal Tertiary Institutions under their purview that henceforth, no satellite campus is to be established without the express approval of the Minister of Education through these regulatory agencies.
He further stressed that failure to comply with the directive will not be treated lightly and will attract appropriate disciplinary measures.
Alausa said the ministry remains committed to upholding the standards of higher education in Nigeria and ensuring that every expansion within our tertiary education system is strategically planned, well-resourced, and aligned with national development goals.