The Federal Government, has presented operational licenses to 11 newly approved private universities to expand access to quality tertiary education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, at the presentation of the licences to the new private universities in Abuja on Wednesday, said it was sequel to the approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC),
NAN reports that the newly licenced universities are: New City University, Aiyetoro, Ogun State, Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State, and Kevin Ezeh University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
Others are Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State, Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State and Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ganmo Kwara State.
Also in the list 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.
Alausa said the approval was in line with the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative designed to restore the glory of Nigeria’s educational system.
“This ceremony is not only a celebration of your achievements, but also a renewed call to action in building a future-ready and globally competitive Nigerian university system,” he said.
He highlighted the urgency of steering Nigeria’s higher education toward priority fields such as STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences.
“Nigeria has more than enough social science graduates. What we need now are problem-solvers graduates with life skills who can drive industries, build infrastructure, and improve lives.
“We must acknowledge an uncomfortable truth that, while we now have 159 licensed private universities, too many are failing to meet the quality standards Nigeria demands,” he said.
Alausa added that licensing must not be symbolic but must be impactful.
To address this, he said NUC is undertaking a comprehensive review of quality assurance mechanisms aimed at ensuring that all licensed institutions, whether public or private, serve as genuine centres of learning, innovation, and research.
He also encouraged private universities to collaborate with one another and form international affiliations, noting Nigeria’s potential as a hub for global education partnerships.
The minister further revealed that, following presidential directives, several universities that had awaited approval for over four years finally received licenses after a thorough evaluation process completed within three years.
