Tinubu’s Government Approves 11 New Private Universities to Bolster Nigeria’s Higher 

In a significant stride toward expanding Nigeria’s educational landscape, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approved operational licenses for 11 newly sanctioned private universities through the National Universities Commission (NUC). This development marks a continued shift towards private sector participation in higher education, a trend that has gained momentum since the liberalisation of university education in 1999.

The licenses were officially presented during a ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, where the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, underscored the vital role of private universities in supporting public institutions and accommodating Nigeria’s fast-growing youth population. Ribadu noted that the total number of universities in Nigeria has now reached 298 — a significant leap from just 49 in 1999. Of these, 159 are privately owned, accounting for 53.3% of the total.

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According to Ribadu, this increase reflects the rising confidence and investment of the private sector in the nation’s academic future. However, he stressed that these newly licensed universities will operate under a provisional status for three years. During this time, they must comply with strict quality assurance standards laid out by the NUC, including undergoing a mandatory resource verification exercise for all proposed academic programs.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also addressed the gathering, framing the expansion as a critical component of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative. He highlighted the government’s goal to reposition Nigeria’s higher education sector to meet the demands of a modern, globally competitive economy.

“This event is more than just a celebration; it is a renewed commitment to building a knowledge-based society with graduates ready to innovate, lead, and solve real-world problems,” Alausa stated. He called for a redirection of academic focus toward priority areas like STEMM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine — to better serve national development goals.

He acknowledged a concerning reality: although private universities are growing in number, too many still fall short of Nigeria’s educational quality benchmarks. Alausa emphasized that the current licensing process must go beyond symbolism, pushing institutions to truly deliver value.

The minister also urged private universities to form international partnerships and collaborative platforms to boost their research output and global relevance. He pointed out that Nigeria could emerge as a hub for international education if its institutions commit to innovation, integrity, and academic excellence.

Speaking on behalf of the new institutions, Tony Iredia, Proprietor of Tonnie Iredia University of Communication in Benin, appealed to the government to shorten the moratorium period that delays full academic operations. He further highlighted that many universities underperform in research because their findings are poorly communicated and under-publicized.

The 11 newly licensed universities include:

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 Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State
7. Eranova University, Kuje, FCT
8. Southern Atlantic University, Uyo
9. University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State
10. Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State
11. Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo, Kwara State

With these approvals, the federal government aims to bridge the education gap, foster innovation, and cultivate a workforce aligned with the aspirations of a digitally driven and industrialised Nigeria.