The Federal Government has granted approval for the establishment of nine new private universities across the country, marking a significant expansion in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
The newly licensed institutions include Tazkiyah University, Kaduna; Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara; Bridget University, Imo; Greenland University, Jigawa; JEFAP University, Niger; Azione Verde University, Imo; Unique Open University, Lagos; and American Open University, Ogun.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the approvals were part of efforts to address the country’s growing demand for tertiary education and to diversify academic opportunities. He disclosed that some of the applications had been pending for over six years due to rigorous vetting processes and new quality assurance measures introduced by the government.
Dr. Alausa explained that the approvals were granted only to institutions that met the updated operational and infrastructural requirements, in line with global best practices. He further announced that a moratorium has been placed on fresh applications from prospective proprietors who do not meet the new standards, stressing that the focus is now on ensuring that approved universities maintain high academic and administrative quality.
According to the Minister, the addition of these universities will enhance access to higher education, create more academic jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for tertiary learning.