**Federal Government Slaps Six-Year Freeze on New Tertiary Institutions** In a move aimed at strengthening the sustainability of existing institutions, the Federal Government has imposed a six-year moratorium on the creation of new universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This decision was made during a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the primary objective of this freeze is to ensure that private institutions can operate sustainably without financial strain. He noted that access to tertiary education remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, as evidenced by the staggering number of candidates vying for admission into public universities. According to JAMB statistics, over 2.3 million candidates applied for university admission last year, but less than 228,000 were admitted. This imbalance highlights the need for a more strategic approach to managing the demand for tertiary education. By halting the creation of new institutions, the government hopes to redirect resources towards existing ones, fostering a more stable and sustainable education sector. This move is also expected to promote standards, as institutions will be compelled to focus on quality rather than proliferation. In a related development, FEC has granted full independent status to the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC). This commission aims to equip over 50 million young adults with digital literacy skills within the next two to three years. With an estimated 56 million Nigerians still lacking basic education, NMEC's expanded outreach programs through radio, television, community learning centres, and public advocacy initiatives are expected to bridge the literacy gap, particularly in rural areas. These measures are part of the government's broader strategy to enhance the quality of education and tackle Nigeria's literacy challenges head-on.