FG approves nine new private universities
By Kunle Sanni –
The federal government has approved the establishment of nine new private universities across the country.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
The newly licensed universities are Tazkiyah University, Kaduna; Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara; Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo; Greenland University, Jigawa; JEFAP University, Niger; Azione Verde University, Imo; Unique Open University, Lagos; and American Open University, Ogun.
Alausa said the approvals followed a rigorous review of 551 applications inherited by the Tinubu administration for new tertiary institutions. After applying stricter guidelines, the number was reduced to 79 active requests, with nine successfully clearing the process.
According to the minister, many of the approved universities had been awaiting accreditation for more than six years, with their promoters already investing heavily in infrastructure.
“Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are part of clearing that backlog,” Alausa said.
He further announced a moratorium on new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, except for institutions that meet the new operational standards.
