The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the operation of 11 new private universities through the National Universities Commission (NUC).
This move was made official on Wednesday, April 30, during a license presentation ceremony held in Abuja.
The approval increases the number of private universities in Nigeria to 159, out of a total of 298 universities across the country.
The NUC stated that the licenses given to the new universities will last for three years, during which their operations will be closely monitored to ensure they meet required standards.
Full approval will only come after a detailed review of how well each university follows the set rules and delivers quality education.
The NUC also announced that before these universities begin academic activities, all their programmes must undergo a resource verification process.
This is to confirm that they have the needed facilities, staff, and equipment to teach students properly.
At the event, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, noted that the introduction of these new institutions would help more young Nigerians gain access to tertiary education.
He mentioned that the plan aligns with the broader education reform initiative aimed at improving the quality of learning in the country.
Alausa pointed out that universities should focus more on training students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
He said that although there are many graduates in the social sciences, the country now needs more graduates with practical knowledge and skills to solve real-life problems, drive development, and improve living standards.
He also mentioned that some private universities already in operation are not performing well due to weak educational standards, stressing that new licenses must not become just a formality.
He assured that the government is reviewing how quality is measured in universities, both public and private, to make sure they truly serve as places of learning, research, and development.
The education minister encouraged private universities to work together and form
Among the newly licensed universities are:
New City University in Ogun State, Lens University in Kwara State, Kevin Ezeh University in Enugu State, Monarch University in Ogun State, Tonnie Iredia University of Communication in Edo State, Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management in Lagos State, and Eranova University in the Federal Capital Territory.
Others include Southern Atlantic University in Akwa Ibom, University of Fortune in Ondo State, Minaret University in Osun State, and Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University in Kwara State.
This indiscriminate approval of Private Universities is not what Nigeria desires now. How can these institutions, both public and private be churning out half baked graduates without jobs. How many of the moribund federal govt Industries and Factories have been revived to give jobs to these graduates. The federal govt is busy approving private Universities while those that graduated years back remain unemployed. They should set their priorities right and create jobs to minimize crime and criminal activities in the country