Amid rising questions and commentary, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has stepped forward to clarify the oversight surrounding the approval of the new Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe (FUST Epe) in Lagos State. In an official statement issued recently, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the presidential approval for FUST Epe preceded the policy moratorium on the creation of federal tertiary institutions — thereby placing the decision squarely within legal frameworks.
The explanation comes after public perception that the university’s establishment violated the moratorium adopted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). According to Minister Alausa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed off on the creation of FUST Epe a while back, via a presidential executive memo — before FEC’s seven-year freeze came into effect.
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Process Followed — Not a Policy Breach
In its release, the FME meticulously laid out that while the announcement of FUST Epe generated confusion due to timing, procedural steps were honoured. The trio of universities – FUST Epe (Lagos), Federal University of Science and Technology, Kachia (Kaduna) and Federal University of Environmental Technology, Ogoniland (Rivers) – had each been approved for establishment via presidential memo prior to the moratorium.
Minister Alausa pointed out that the public or political misunderstanding emanated from the fact that the bill for FUST Epe’s establishment faced a delay: the National Assembly was on recess when key actions should have been taken, thus postponing formal announcement. He emphasised that the legislative lacuna did not render the approval invalid.
Further, the ministry reaffirmed that the seven-year moratorium remains intact and binding for any new federal tertiary institution approvals, with these three institutions being treated as exceptions because their approvals came earlier. “The moratorium remains sacrosanct and binding,” the statement stressed.
What’s At Stake – Public Confidence & Higher Education Policy
This clarification matters significantly for more than institutional procedure. For students, parents, and stakeholders in the tertiary-education space, questions around legitimacy, accreditation and government consistency weigh heavily. If approval processes are perceived to be hinged on policy waivers or behind-the-scenes memos, trust can erode.
By issuing the explanation, the FME has sought to reassure that the establishment of FUST Epe was not a sidestep of policy but rather a continuation of strategy — aligned to technological, scientific and specialised education goals. The ministry’s narrative insists that the government is committed to strengthening existing institutions, improving quality and avoiding proliferation of universities without adequate resources—a key rationale behind the moratorium.
On the broader policy front, the moratorium’s intent is to allow consolidation — ensuring federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education can be funded, structured and managed effectively instead of continuously adding new ones without infrastructure. The FME has reinforced that this objective remains a priority, even as FUST Epe moves ahead under earlier approval.
What This Presidential Approval Means Moving Forward
For FUST Epe, the official clarification clears a major hurdle: legitimacy concerns. With presidential approval secured ahead of the moratorium’s enactment, the university’s establishment plan can now be seen as valid and strategic rather than controversial. As the institution begins its planning and implementation phase, this lends confidence to prospective students, faculty, funding agencies and regulatory bodies like the National Universities Commission (NUC).
For government and policymakers, the episode serves as a cautionary story in communication and timing. Even though process was followed, the public took a different view because the announcement came after policy headlines had already stirred debate. Timing, transparency and clarity matter as much as the policy content itself.
Additionally, the saga highlights the challenge of policy continuity in education. While the moratorium aims at prudent growth, exceptions or retrospective approvals can generate perceptions of inconsistency. The government will need to stay consistent, clearly document decisions and ensure public awareness to maintain credibility.
Finally, for the Nigerian higher education sector, the development is a signal that technical or specialised universities remain on the agenda — albeit under stricter controls. The focus on science, environment, and technology-driven institutions aligns with national ambitions for industrialisation, innovation and global competitiveness. The ministry’s statement emphasised that the establishment of FUST Epe is part of this broader vision.
Conclusion
The FME’s clarification rewrites the narrative: the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe’s approval was anchored in an earlier presidential directive, not a breach of the moratorium. The government’s policy stance remains unchanged, but the timing required explanation. For stakeholders across the education ecosystem, this means a renewed invitation to engage with the institution’s planning in good faith — and for the government, a reminder to communicate policy alignment loud and clear.
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