The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has urged the National Assembly to focus on adequately funding existing tertiary institutions rather than creating new ones, citing resource constraints and the need for quality education.

Alausa made this appeal during a public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education in Abuja on Thursday.

The public hearing deliberated on three bills, including one seeking to establish a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State. The proposed institution would provide full-time courses in technology, applied sciences, arts, social sciences, humanities, and management.

The minister opposed the establishment bill, emphasizing that the federal government maintains a policy of equitable distribution of federal institutions across states. According to this policy, no state should host more than one federal polytechnic, while every state must have at least one.

"With limited resources, government efforts should be directed at strengthening existing institutions to deliver quality education rather than spreading resources thin by establishing new ones," Alausa stated.

The other bills under consideration included amendments to the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. These amendments aim to review the functions of polytechnics and make other adjustments to the existing legislation.

Alausa further noted that the Federal Ministry of Education has expanded avenues for establishing private tertiary institutions and encouraged states and individuals to utilize these channels to support national educational development.

The minister's position highlights ongoing concerns about the sustainability of Nigeria's tertiary education system amid funding challenges and the need to maintain quality standards across existing institutions.