FG Approves Nine New Private Universities in Nigeria

The Federal Executive Council has approved nine new private universities, an expansion aimed at easing pressure on admissions while the government maintains a seven-year pause on creating new federal institutions. 

The approvals, drawn from applications previously vetted by the National Universities Commission (NUC), are expected to add capacity across multiple regions and program areas without increasing federal overheads.

For prospective students and parents, this means more options, especially in STEM, business, and mission-driven liberal arts, once each institution completes NUC licensing steps, programme accreditation, and listing for admissions.

For investors and host communities, the greenlight signals room for private capital to improve facilities, faculty recruitment, and research output. 

Here are the nine newly approved private universities in Nigeria:

Tazkiyah University, Kaduna State

Approved by the FEC as a private university in Kaduna. Earlier press reports described Tazkiyah as a proposed women-only institution led by Imam Prof. Ibrahim Maqari; the final programme mix will be confirmed at licensing.

Leadership University, Abuja (Kuje)

Cleared to operate in the Federal Capital Territory. Details on faculties and promoters will be released at NUC licensing; the FEC list confirms the Abuja location.

Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara State (Ilorin)

Named for education entrepreneur Jimoh Babalola, whose existing Ilorin college suggests health-sciences depth; official programme slate to come at licensing. Location confirmed as Ilorin by the FEC list. (Connection to the proprietor is a reasonable inference based on publicly available school records.)

Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo State (Okirika-Nweke/Aboh-Mbaise axis)

Approved for Imo State with Mbaise as host area; expect Catholic/mission and liberal-arts footprints given the region’s education profile, with specifics to follow at licensing.

Greenland University, Jalingo, Taraba State

Although some early lists mis-tagged Jigawa, Greenland’s own materials place it in Jalingo, Taraba, confirming the host city/state. Expect STEM and management programmes per its pre-approval documents.

JEFAP University, Suleja, Niger State

Set for Suleja, giving the North-Central zone another private option near Abuja. The name aligns with JEFAP International School (Suleja), indicating a likely promoter link; the full academic brief will come with the NUC licence. (Promoter link noted as inference.)

Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Imo State (Nwangele LGA)

Backed by the Catholic NGO Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde, plans for the Amaigbo campus have been public for years, with earlier ground-breaking and local government engagement reported.

Unique Open University, Ojo, Lagos State

An “open” university model (distance/online-forward) is implied by the name; the FEC list locates it in Ojo, Lagos. Detailed delivery model and faculties will be clarified at licensing, alongside other Nigerian open-university peers.

American Open University, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Approved to site in Abeokuta. Final programme lineup and mode (onsite vs. ODL blend) will be published at licensing; the FEC list confirms state and city.