FG issues licenses to 11 new private universities across Nigeria, see full list

DDM News

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially approved the establishment of 11 new private universities across the country.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) correspondent, Licenses for these newly approved institutions were presented on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.

The presentation ceremony was conducted by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory body for university education in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, highlighted the growing importance of private universities in Nigeria’s education sector.

He described private tertiary institutions as valuable partners that support and complement the work of public universities nationwide.

Ribadu explained that the rise of private universities has contributed significantly to the expansion of the academic ecosystem in Nigeria.

He pointed out that the liberalization of university education, which began in 1999, laid the foundation for this progress.

According to Ribadu, Nigeria had only 49 universities in 1999, of which 23 were privately owned.

However, that number has now increased substantially, with a current total of 298 universities across the nation.

Out of this total, 159 are private universities, representing approximately 53.3 percent of all tertiary institutions in the country.

He credited the increase to active participation from the private sector and continuous government support for higher education.

Ribadu noted that all the licenses presented are provisional and are valid for a period of three years.

During this provisional period, each institution is expected to meet the standards and operational benchmarks set by the NUC.

He stressed that full licensing will only be granted after a thorough review of the institutions’ compliance with regulatory guidelines.

The NUC will conduct regular monitoring visits to the newly approved universities to assess their performance and operations.

Institutions that fail to meet the required standards may lose their licenses at the end of the three-year window.

Ribadu advised the proprietors and management teams of the universities to stick to their approved academic plans and governance structures.

He also reminded them that maintaining high standards is critical to gaining the trust of students and stakeholders.

According to him, quality education must remain the central goal of every institution operating within Nigeria’s university system.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting universities that adhere to proper procedures and meet national expectations.

Ribadu stated that the challenges facing public universities made the role of private institutions more crucial than ever.

He said the burden on public universities could be lessened through the consistent growth and contributions of the private education sector.

The inclusion of more private universities, he said, will increase access to higher education for young Nigerians.

He encouraged the proprietors of the new institutions to prioritize academic excellence, infrastructure development, and qualified personnel.

He expressed optimism that the newly licensed universities will add value to Nigeria’s overall education system.

The following is a complete list of the 11 newly approved private universities and their respective locations:

1. New City University, Aiyetoro, Ogun State.

2. Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State.

3. Kevin Ezeh University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.

4. Monarch University, Iyesi Ota, Ogun State.

5. Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin, Edo State.

6. Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, Lagos State.

7. Eranova University, Kuje, Federal Capital Territory.

8. University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State.

9. Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

10. Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State.

11. Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo, Kwara State.

With this latest development, the federal government has reaffirmed its belief in private sector participation as a key driver of educational advancement.

The emergence of these new institutions marks a positive step toward increasing academic opportunities and addressing capacity gaps in the nation’s education sector.

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