A Strategic Push to Expand Access to Quality Tertiary Education
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially issued operational licenses to 11 newly approved private universities, in a strategic move to widen access to quality tertiary education and complement public universities across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, presented the licences on Wednesday in Abuja, following the institutions’ approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
List of 11 Newly Licensed Private Universities (2025)
- New City University, Aiyetoro, Ogun State
- Lens Polytechnic University, Ilemona, Kwara State
- Kevin Ezeh University, Mgbowo, Enugu State
- Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom
- University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State
- Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State
- Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo, Kwara State
- Monarch University, Iyesi Ota, Ogun State
- Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin, Edo State
- Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, Lagos State
- Eranova University, Kuje, FCT
Alausa: Private Universities Are Vital Partners
Minister Tunji Alausa emphasized the increasing relevance of private universities as essential contributors to Nigeria’s higher education sector. He stressed that the new institutions must deliver globally competitive, STEMM-focused education.
“Nigeria has more than enough social science graduates. What we now need are graduates with life skills who can drive innovation, build infrastructure, and solve real-world problems,” he said.
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Dr. Alausa reiterated that private institutions must not only receive licenses in name but must deliver tangible, high-impact results in learning, research, and community development.
Quality Assurance and Compliance Measures by NUC
NUC Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, noted that the licenses granted are provisional and valid for three years, pending full accreditation. He highlighted the mandatory resource verification exercise to ensure all academic programmes meet regulatory benchmarks.
“Full licences will only be granted after rigorous assessment and proof of compliance with NUC quality standards,” Ribadu explained.
He added that Nigeria’s higher education system had grown from 49 universities in 1999 to 298 universities in 2025, with 159 (53.3%) now privately owned.
Driving Education Reform Through Collaboration and Innovation
Dr. Alausa also encouraged private universities to:
- Establish international academic partnerships,
- Share best practices among themselves,
- Align programmes with national development goals.
He disclosed that several universities had waited more than four years for licensure but were finally approved following presidential directives and a comprehensive evaluation process.
Stakeholders Speak: Barriers, Moratorium, and Global Ties
Jimoh Ibrahim, Proprietor of the University of Fortune, urged the NUC to dismantle barriers to international collaboration, citing global linkages as essential for innovation and knowledge transfer.
Tony Iredia, founder of Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, appealed to the Federal Government to shorten moratorium periods, arguing that extended delays hinder momentum and planning.
“One key reason our research output is poor may be due to inadequate communication and weak dissemination of scholarly work,” he noted.
Implications for Nigeria’s Education Sector
The development is expected to:
- Reduce admission pressure on public universities.
- Encourage private sector investment in education.
- Create more opportunities for students to study STEMM-based programmes locally.
- Boost Nigeria’s global education competitiveness.
The Federal Government’s consistent expansion of private institutions shows a firm commitment to educational reform and youth empowerment in line with the Education Sector Renewal Strategy.
