FULL LIST: FG approves nine new private universities nationwide

The Federal Government has authorized the establishment of nine new private universities across Nigeria, thereby elevating the total number of tertiary institutions under private ownership in the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, conveyed this information on Wednesday during a briefing with State House correspondents following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

The newly licensed universities. Click here to view list.

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

The Minister of Education, Alausa, disclosed that the Tinubu administration inherited 551 pending applications for the establishment of tertiary institutions. These applications underwent a rigorous review process, leading to a reduction to 79 active cases. The approval of nine institutions on Wednesday addressed a backlog that had, in some instances, persisted for over six years.

Alausa noted that delays in approvals were attributable to inefficiencies within the National Universities Commission (NUC). However, the implementation of reforms aimed at streamlining these processes has resulted in today’s approvals, effectively clearing this accumulated backlog.

The minister emphasized that many of the newly approved institutions had already established campuses and made significant financial investments, amounting to billions of naira, while awaiting accreditation. A moratorium has now been instituted on new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with the exception of those that comply with the newly established operational standards.