Alausa Warns Tertiary Institutions Against Unapproved Satellite Campuses

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has raised the alarm over unchecked proliferation of unapproved satellite campuses across the country, warning that the trend is undermining the integrity, quality, and sustainability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Alausa expressed concern that many of these offshoot campuses operate without accreditation and often lack the infrastructure, academic personnel, and regulatory oversight necessary to deliver quality higher education.

“This proliferation of satellite campuses that are not accredited undermines the credibility of our degrees and the preparedness of graduates entering the workforce,” the Minister said.

The Minister noted that these unauthorized campuses are often set up by existing institutions to expand their reach, but with little regard for educational standards. Many lack libraries, laboratories, adequate lecture halls, and qualified staff—leading to substandard outcomes and, in some cases, outright exploitation of students.

“We cannot continue to produce graduates who are ill-equipped to meet the demands of the global economy,” Dr. Alausa added.

In a bid to curb the situation, the Education Minister has called for an immediate halt to the establishment of new universities and satellite campuses. He stated that Nigeria must first focus on strengthening existing institutions before considering any expansion.

Dr. Alausa also urged the National Assembly to suspend the approval of new university bills, revealing that nearly 200 bills for the creation of new universities are currently under legislative consideration.

“This is not sustainable. We must prioritize quality over quantity,” he stressed.

The Minister emphasized that regulatory bodies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), must intensify efforts to shut down illegal campuses and enforce compliance with accreditation standards.

He called for collaborative efforts between the Ministry, education stakeholders, and lawmakers to uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education system.

“Accreditation must not be a formality—it must be a strict gatekeeping process that ensures institutions are fit for purpose,” Alausa said.

Dr. Alausa’s remarks come as part of the government’s broader reform agenda aimed at revamping Nigeria’s education sector, which continues to grapple with inadequate funding, brain drain, outdated infrastructure, and employability challenges among graduates.

The Ministry of Education is expected to roll out a new framework for institutional evaluation and performance tracking in the coming months.