Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa has presented provisional licences to 11 newly approved private universities.
At the presentation this Wednesday in Abuja, Alausa said the move is in line with the determination of the present administration, to provide qualifty higher education in Nigeria.
Alausa emphasised that a true university should be a hub for education, talent development, and innovation, supported by competent staff and modern facilities, prioritising research and extending beyond local boundaries to global relevance.
He urged private universities to lead in academic excellence and align with national goals in STEM and technical education to address the shortage of skilled professionals in key sectors like healthcare and engineering.
Also, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the event marked significant progress in improving access to tertiary education, urging them to uphold academic integrity.
She said the the move is a significant extension of the Nigerian universities’ carrying capacities adding that it will promote healthy competition and the development of the country.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, congratulated the promoters of the new universities on establishing the institutions.
He said Private universities play a vital role in complementing the existing ones, noting that the process of establishment has evolved, with 159 private universities now in existence, including the newly approved ones.
The Eleven universities include City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi, FCT; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annex; and Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State.
Others are Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom; Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara; Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos; and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
