The Federal Government has granted provisional licenses to 11 new private universities, marking a significant expansion of Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Announcing the approval after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the new universities had successfully undergone the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) rigorous 13-step assessment process before receiving their licenses.
List of Newly Approved Private Universities
The newly approved institutions include:
- 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
Temporary Ban on New Private Universities
Dr. Alausa also announced a moratorium on the approval of additional private universities, meaning no new applications will be considered for now. However, institutions that have advanced beyond step four in the NUC’s approval process may still be assessed for final approval.
“These 11 universities have met all the necessary requirements of the NUC and have been awarded provisional licenses to commence operations,” Alausa stated. “While we have approved these institutions, we have also placed a moratorium on the establishment of new private universities. This means only those that have reached the final stages of approval, like the ones announced today, will be considered.”
He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and improving educational infrastructure across the country.
FEC Approves N733bn for Major Road Projects
In addition to the university approvals, the FEC approved N733 billion for four key infrastructure projects nationwide. Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting.
Key projects include:
- Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road (Section Two) – Covering 164 kilometers, awarded at N507 billion to InfoWest Nigeria Limited.
- Flyover at Abakpa (Enugu State) – A new flyover to ease congestion at the 82 Division area, awarded to CCECC for N24 billion.
- Odukpani-Itu-Idedem Item-Ikot Ekpene Road (Cross River & Akwa Ibom States) – Dualization project awarded at N55 billion to Decon Construction Nigeria Limited.
Umahi explained that the government had to reprocure parts of the Odukpani-Itu-Idedem project due to high cost demands from previous contractors. “Berger insisted on a review up to N190 billion, so we had to terminate the contract and reprocure it through a competitive process, resulting in a new contract at N55 billion,” he said.
With these approvals, the Tinubu administration continues to push for improved infrastructure and educational access across Nigeria.
