Nigeria halts new polytechnic and monotechnic approvals for a year, except for health institutions, to ensure proper enrolment and capacity
The Nigerian government has placed a one-year moratorium on the approval of new polytechnics and monotechnics to regulate enrolment and ensure institutions operate within their approved capacities.
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However, health institutions are exempted due to challenges related to low student enrolment.
Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, sanctioned this decision, as announced in a statement by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, on Thursday in Kaduna.
Effective immediately, the moratorium suspends all new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics for 12 months.
However, institutions currently undergoing assessment will be required to pay specific fees to continue the registration process.
Polytechnics awaiting ministerial approval must pay an application fee of **₦4 million** and an additional **₦2 million per programme of study** as a processing fee. Meanwhile, monotechnics will pay an application fee of **₦2 million** and a processing fee of **₦1 million per programme**.
Applicants have **30 days** to pay these fees, after which failure to comply will result in the termination of their registration process.
New health institutions, which are exempted from the moratorium, will be charged the same fees as monotechnics for registration.
Professor Bugaje emphasised that the objective of this policy is to ensure that tertiary **Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)** institutions maintain appropriate student populations within their approved capacities.
