ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Universities Commission (NUC) don present operational licenses to 11 newly approved private universities today, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Dis closure come from the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, wey talk say dis move go help expand quality tertiary education for country.
Ribadu emphasize say dis new private universities go serve as partners to public institutions as dem dey respond to the growing educational needs of Nigeria’s young population. E also mention say since dem liberalize university education for 1999, number of private universities don increase significantly, from 49 to 298 today, with 159 (53.3%) as private universities.
“Dis growth na true result of the involvement of private sector. We go ensure say these universities meet strict quality benchmarks while dem dey on probation,” Ribadu add.
The licenses wey NUC don issue valid for three years, during dis time, di new universities go undergo close monitoring to see if dem dey comply with all regulatory standards. A mandatory resource verification exercise go happen to ensure all academic programmes dey ready for operations.
For di presentation ceremony, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, talk say dis move dey part of di Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, wey go help restore di glory of di educational system. E call am a call to action to build a future-ready and globally competitive university system.
“Na time to shift our focus to STEMM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences. We too get enough social science graduates; wetin we need now na problem-solving graduates wey fit build our industries and improve lives,” Alausa preach.
Even as di number of private universities don reach 159, Alausa talk say many dey fail to meet quality standards expected. Therefore, NUC dey conduct comprehensive reviews of all institutions to ensure dem serve well as centers of learning and innovation.
He also urge private universities to collaborate with one another and form international partnerships, stressing Nigeria’s potential as a hub for global education. “Private universities must rise to di challenge and deliver high-quality education that be relevant,” e add.
Di list of di 11 new universities includes: New City University, Aiyetoro, Ogun State; Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State; and Kevin Ezeh University, Mgbowo, Enugu State. Others are: Monarch University, Iyesi Ota, Ogun State; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin, Edo State; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, Lagos State; and Eranova University, Kuje, FCT. We also get Southern Atlantic University, Uyo; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State; and Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo, Kwara State.
