Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, has warned all Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education across Nigeria, that the establishment of satellite campuses without prior approval will no longer be tolerated.
In a memo dated May 30, 2025, and addressed to the Executive Secretaries of the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), the Minister expressed serious concern over the rising trend of unauthorized satellite campuses being established by federal tertiary institutions.
A satellite campus, also referred to as a branch or regional campus is typically located away from the main institution, sometimes in different cities or states, and is often smaller in scale. While some share administration and resources with their parent campuses, others operate independently with separate governance structures.
Alausa warned that many of the newly established satellite campuses lack the academic, infrastructural, and strategic capacity to justify their creation, thereby undermining the quality and sustainability of Nigeria’s higher 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. This is counterproductive and detrimental to educational standards,” the minister said
He directed the NUC, NBTE, and NCCE to formally inform all federal tertiary institutions under their supervision that no satellite campus should be established without express approval from the Minister of Education, processed through the appropriate regulatory agency.
The directive, conveyed in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, emphasized that any institution found to have violated this order will face appropriate disciplinary measures.
Alausa reiterated the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. He stressed that all expansions must be strategically planned, properly resourced, and aligned with national development goals to ensure sustainable growth and academic excellence.
