The Nigerian federal government has officially presented operational licences to 11 newly approved private universities, marking a significant step in expanding access to quality tertiary education. The event, held in Abuja on Wednesday, was presided over by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who emphasized that the issuance of licences followed the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The newly licensed universities include New City University (Aiyetoro, Ogun State), Lens University (Ilemona, Kwara State), Kevin Ezeh University (Mgbowo, Enugu State), Southern Atlantic University (Uyo, Akwa Ibom State), 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), and Eranova University (Kuje, FCT).
Alausa remarked that the approval aligns with the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, designed to enhance the nation’s educational system. He underscored the importance of steering Nigeria’s higher education system towards priority fields such as STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences), emphasizing the need for graduates who can drive industries and improve infrastructure.
The minister also highlighted the need for private universities to deliver high-quality, relevant education that meets the demands of a modern economy, stressing that many institutions are currently failing to meet Nigeria’s quality standards. He added that the NUC is reviewing quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that licensed institutions fulfill their educational responsibilities.
The NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, noted that private universities play a vital role as complementary partners to public institutions, especially in meeting the needs of Nigeria’s youthful population. Ribadu also revealed that the newly licensed universities would undergo a rigorous monitoring process to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Alausa concluded by calling for private universities to foster international collaborations to advance Nigeria’s educational landscape and contribute to the nation’s growth.
