By Sani Idris

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has approved a one-year moratorium on new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics, except for health institutions, due to low enrollment challenges in Nigerian Polytechnics and Monotechnics.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje and issued to newsmen on Thursday, February 13th, 2025 in Kaduna.

Bugaje said the moratorium, which takes immediate effect, means that all new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics are put on hold for 12 months.

He however, said institutions currently being assessed will be required to pay specific fees to continue the registration process.

“Polytechnics awaiting ministerial approval will be required to pay an application fee of N4 million Naira and a processing fee of N2 million Naira per program of study.

“Monotechnics, on the other hand, will pay an application fee of N2 million Naira and a processing fee of N1 million Naira per program of study.

“Applicants have 30 days to pay these fees, failure to which will result in the termination of the registration process.

“New health institutions, which are exempt from the moratorium, will pay the same fees as monotechnics for registration,”he said.

According to the NBTE boss, the objective of the move is to ensure that tertiary TVET institutions are properly populated within their approved carrying capacities.