By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved 11 new private universities in Nigeria. This decision was announced on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, after a meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
To get approved, these universities went through a rigorous 13-step assessment process set by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Dr. Alausa said, “These 11 universities have met all the necessary requirements of the NUC and have been awarded provisional licenses to commence operations.”
However, the government has also put a moratorium on approving new private universities for now. This means only applications that are already in the final stages will be considered. Dr. Alausa said, “While we have approved these institutions, we have also placed a moratorium on the establishment of new private universities. This means that only those that have reached the final stages of approval, like the ones announced today, will be considered.”
Despite this moratorium, the government will still review pending applications from institutions that have made significant progress in the approval process. Dr. Alausa added, “For those that have progressed beyond step four and have undergone a second visit, we will assess them, and if they meet all the requirements, they will be approved.”
Here are the newly approved universities: New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State, University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State, Eranova University, Mabushi, Abuja, Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State, Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State, Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State, Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State, Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo State, Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State, Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
President Tinubu remains committed to expanding educational opportunities and improving infrastructure in the sector.
