Tinubu approves new Federal University of Science and Technology for Lagos

Tinubu approves new Federal University of Science and Technology for Lagos

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Federal University of Science and Technology (FUSTECH), Epe, in Lagos State — a development that comes despite the federal government’s standing seven-year moratorium on creating new tertiary institutions.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during Thursday’s plenary session, revealing that Tinubu had signed the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe (Establishment) Bill 2025 into law.

“It is my honour to announce that the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe Establishment Bill 2025 has been assented to by Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Akpabio said.

He added that the Senate had earlier transmitted authenticated copies of the bill to the President, who subsequently returned two certified copies bearing his signature.

“The Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, has come to stay,” Akpabio declared, congratulating the people of Epe and Lagos State.

The Senate President commended Tinubu for “opening the doors of education nationwide,” describing the new institution as a strategic move to expand access to specialized higher learning in science and technology.

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Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who sponsored the bill, explained that the new university would focus on high-demand disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, and Civil Engineering, alongside Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science — fields critical to Nigeria’s industrial and digital transformation.

However, the decision to establish the university has raised questions, as it comes just months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Tinubu himself, announced a seven-year freeze on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

At the time, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, defended the policy as necessary to address under-utilization, inadequate infrastructure, and declining academic standards across existing public institutions.

“Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students,” Alausa had said. “If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions.”

He also clarified that the moratorium covered both public and private universities, though nine private institutions were later approved after meeting the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s rigorous accreditation requirements.

Observers say Tinubu’s approval of FUSTECH may signal a selective relaxation of the freeze — particularly for institutions that align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on science, innovation, and technology-driven economic growth.

Education stakeholders are now watching closely to see how the new university will be funded and whether it will avoid the pitfalls of underfunding and poor management that have plagued many existing federal institutions.

 

Tinubu approves new Federal University of Science and Technology for Lagos