FG Approves Nine New Private Universities to Boost Nigeria’s Higher Education Sector
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Federal Government has officially approved the establishment of nine new private universities across Nigeria in a move aimed at expanding access to quality tertiary education and clearing a backlog of pending accreditation requests.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
List of Newly Approved Private Universities
The nine universities, spread across different geopolitical zones, include:
- Tazkiyah University – Kaduna State
- Leadership University – Abuja
- Jimoh Babalola University – Kwara State
- Bridget University – Mbaise, Imo State
- Greenland University – Jigawa State
- JEFAP University – Niger State
- Azione Verde University – Imo State
- Unique Open University – Lagos State
- American Open University – Ogun State
Dr. Alausa revealed that the decision to grant operational licenses to these institutions followed a rigorous review process undertaken by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in line with new government policies.
Clearing a Six-Year Backlog
According to the Minister, the Tinubu administration inherited 551 pending requests for the establishment of new tertiary institutions. Following a comprehensive review, only 79 applications were considered active and viable. Of these, nine met all the stringent operational requirements and were cleared for approval on Wednesday.
“Some of these institutions had been awaiting final approval for over six years, during which their promoters had already invested billions of naira in infrastructure, human resources, and facilities,” Alausa explained.
He attributed the prolonged delay to bureaucratic inefficiencies within the NUC, noting that the new reforms introduced under his leadership were designed to fast-track legitimate applications while filtering out unprepared proposals.
Reforms in Tertiary Education Licensing
Dr. Alausa stressed that the Ministry of Education has taken significant steps to reform the university licensing process to ensure only credible and well-prepared institutions gain approval. These reforms involve:
- Stricter Operational Standards: New applicants must meet higher benchmarks in academic planning, infrastructure, staffing, and governance before being considered.
- Verification of Investment Capacity: Institutions must demonstrate sustainable funding sources and prove their ability to operate long-term without compromising quality.
- Site Inspections and Compliance Checks: All campuses are subject to physical inspections to confirm that advertised facilities exist and meet NUC standards.
Moratorium on New Applications
In a bid to maintain quality and prevent the proliferation of substandard institutions, the Federal Government has also placed a temporary moratorium on new applications for the establishment of private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
“This moratorium will remain in place until the new standards are fully implemented and the current backlog of applications is resolved,” Alausa confirmed.
Implications for Nigeria’s Education Sector
The establishment of these nine universities is expected to increase enrolment capacity, reduce pressure on public universities, and offer more diverse academic programmes to Nigerian students.
Education experts note that with over 2 million applicants seeking university admission annually — far exceeding the available spaces — the expansion of private tertiary institutions will help bridge the access gap.
However, stakeholders also stress the need for continuous quality assurance to ensure that private universities deliver competitive and globally recognised academic standards.
Looking Ahead
The newly approved universities are expected to begin operations within the next academic cycle, subject to final compliance checks and issuance of operational licenses by the NUC.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s education sector, saying:
“Our goal is not just to approve more universities but to ensure that every institution in Nigeria, public or private, meets the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, and community service.”
With this development, the administration hopes to foster innovation, job creation, and human capital development through a revitalised higher education system.
🎓 Attend 2026 JAMB, Post-UTME, WAEC, and NECO GCE Tutorials
Get fully prepared with expert tutors, comprehensive study materials, and personalised academic guidance at Akahi Tutors.
📍 Located at 67, Oduduwa College Road, Off Sabo Junction, Ile-Ife.
📞 Call: 08038644328
for enrollment and accommodation reservation.
Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org
