The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of new universities across Nigeria, marking another major expansion of the country’s higher education sector and increasing access to university education nationwide.
The approvals, granted through the Federal Government following NUC’s rigorous resource verification and quality assurance processes, cover new private universities and a newly recognised state-owned institution. Education stakeholders say the move reflects growing demand for tertiary education and the government’s drive to widen opportunities for young Nigerians.
List of Newly Approved Private Universities
The following 11 private universities received provisional licences to operate:
- New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State
- University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State
- Eranova University, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
- Minaret University, Ikirun Annexe, Osun State
- Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State
- Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
- Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State
- Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State
- Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo State
- Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State
- Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State
In addition, the Federal Government also approved nine other private universities earlier, following recommendations by the NUC:
- Tazkiyah University, Kaduna State
- Leadership University, Abuja (FCT)
- Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara State
- Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo State
- Greenland University, Jigawa State
- JEFAP University, Niger State
- Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Imo State
- Unique Open University, Ojo, Lagos State
- American Open University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
New State-Owned University Recognised
Beyond private institutions, the NUC also granted approval to a new state-owned university:
- Imo State University of Innovation, Science and Technology, Omuma, Imo State
The institution is designed to focus on innovation, science, and technology-driven programmes to meet emerging national and global needs.
Implications for the Education Sector
With these approvals, Nigeria’s university system continues to expand, offering students more choices in specialised fields such as technology, communication, aviation, and applied sciences. The NUC has, however, reiterated that approval does not mean automatic commencement of admissions, stressing that institutions must fully comply with academic standards, staffing requirements, and infrastructural benchmarks.
Education analysts believe the development could ease pressure on existing public universities, while also raising the need for strict regulation to maintain quality across the fast-growing sector.