Abuja, Nigeria — Federal Government don present operational licenses to 11 newly approved private universities to improve access to quality higher education. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, show dis license for these new universities for Abuja on Wednesday, following approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Dis newly licensed institutions include: New City University, Aiyetoro (Ogun State), Lens University, Ilemona (Kwara State), and Kevin Ezeh University, Mgbowo (Enugu State). Other universities wey receive license na Southern Atlantic University, Uyo; University of Fortune, Igbotako (Ondo State); Minaret University, Ikirun (Osun State); and Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo (Kwara State). The list continue with Monarch University, Iyesi Ota (Ogun State), Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin (Edo State), Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State, and Eranova University, Kuje (FCT).
Dr. Alausa talk say dis approval na part of Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative wey dey try to restore the quality of Nigeria’s education system. “This ceremony no be just about achievements, but it’s also a renewed call to action to build a future-ready and globally competitive university system in Nigeria,” he say.
He stress say Nigeria need to shift focus to courses like Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM). “We dey graduate too many social science students wey no fit solve real problems; wetin we need now na graduates wey get life skills to drive industries, build infrastructure, and improve lives,” Dr. Alausa explain.
The Minister admit say among the 159 licensed private universities, many no dey meet the quality standards wey Nigeria demand. “Licensing no suppose be just symbolic, e suppose get real impact,” he add. He talk say NUC dey review quality assurance mechanisms to make sure say all institutions, public or private, fit serve as centers of real learning, innovation, and research.
Dr. Alausa also talk say private universities should collaborate with each other and build international connections. E mention Nigeria’s potential as education hub for Africa. “Private universities must rise to the challenge of providing high-quality education wey dey relevant to modern economy,” he say.
NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, emphasize say private universities don become important for supplementing public institutions, especially for Nigeria’s young population. He represent say “From just 49 universities in 1999, with 23 private, Nigeria don blow to 298 universities, 159 of dem (53.3%) na private. Dis expansion come from private sector involvement.”
Prof. Ribadu also talk say di licenses wey dem grant now na provisional, valid for three years, during which time dem go need to meet serious quality standards. “Full accreditation go depend on thorough evaluations by the NUC,” he add. E announce say dem go conduct mandatory resource verification exercise to check di readiness of academic programs before dem start operation.
Speaking on behalf of di university owners, Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, wey get University of Fortune, call on NUC to remove barriers wey dey prevent Nigerian universities from collaborating better with global institutions. Ibrahim stress di need to build international partnerships to boost innovation and national growth.
Tony Iredia, wey be Proprietor of Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, plead with federal government say make dem no stretch moratorium period too long. He also point out say poor communication of research go fit affect Nigeria’s performance for research output.
