CHALLENGES MILITATING AGAINST THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA.

Abstract

This paper critically examines the challenges militating against the development of tertiary institutions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Despite the symbolic status of Abuja as Nigeria’s administrative capital and its concentration of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the performance of these institutions continues to be constrained by structural, administrative, and systemic problems. Adopting a qualitative review approach, the paper identifies seven key challenges: inadequate funding, infrastructural decay, shortage of qualified academic staff, unstable education policies, insecurity within and around campuses, weak governance structures, and frequent industrial actions. The analysis draws from empirical studies and policy reports to demonstrate how these constraints undermine teaching effectiveness, research productivity, and institutional sustainability. The paper concludes that without coordinated reforms in funding, governance, and policy stability, tertiary education in the FCT will continue to experience declining efficiency and reduced global competitiveness