Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved provisional licenses for 11 new private universities, bringing the total number of private universities in the country to 150. This adds to the existing 125 public universities nationwide.

Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, announced the approvals after the FEC meeting, stating that the institutions met the National Universities Commission (NUC)’s 13-step approval process. However, he also revealed that a moratorium has been placed on issuing new licenses for private universities.

“The 11 universities have been awarded provisional licenses after fulfilling the NUC’s requirements,” Alausa said. “While a moratorium has been placed on new licenses, universities that have invested heavily and are nearing completion of the approval process will still be considered.”

The newly approved universities include:

1. New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State
2. University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State
3. Eranova University, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
4. Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State
5. Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State
6. Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
7. Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State
8. Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State
9. Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin, Edo State
10. Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos
11. Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State

The moratorium on new licenses is expected to regulate the proliferation of private universities while ensuring quality standards in higher education. However, institutions already far along in the approval process will not be affected.

With this latest development, Nigeria now has 275 universities, comprising 150 private and 125 public institutions, as the government continues its efforts to expand access to tertiary education.