FG Approves 9 New Private Varsities, Full List, Locations Emerge
- No fewer than nine new private universities have been granted approval to commence academic activities in the country
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government approved the new private universities on Wednesday, August 13, 2025
- The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who made the announcement, shared more details about the nine new private universities
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide
FCT, Abuja - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, approved the establishment of nine new private universities.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said Tinubu administration inherited 551 pending applications for the establishment of tertiary institutions.
Source: Twitter
Alausa said the 551 pending applications were reduced to 79 active cases after being subjected to stricter guidelines from which the nine universities were approved.
The minister explained that the approval has cleared a backlog that, in some cases, had lingered for more than six years.
As reported by Nigerian Tribune, he stated this on Wednesday in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Tinubu.
“Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have since introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are a result of clearing this backlog.”
Federal govt approves 9 new private universities
- Tazkiyah University, Kaduna State
- Leadership University, Abuja
- Jimoh Babalola University, Kwara State
- Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo State
- Greenland University, Jigawa State
- JEFAP University, Niger State
- Azione Verde University, Imo State
- Unique Open University, Lagos State
- American Open University, Ogun State
The minister disclosed that many of the approved institutions had campuses and had invested billions of naira while awaiting accreditation.
According to The Punch, he further stated that Tinubu's administration had placed a moratorium on new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, except those meeting the new operational standards.
Tinubu bans creation of federal universities, others
Recall that the federal government announced the suspension of the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Alausa said that the initiative by Tinubu's administration was aimed at putting an end to duplications and waste,
The education minister said the move would provide the avenue to consolidate resources in upgrading the existing facilities.
Source: Twitter
Read more stories on private universities:
- Top private universities in Lagos and their school fees
- Best private universities in Abuja as of 2025/2026
- 25 cheapest private universities in Nigeria to apply for in 2025
- Tinubu’s FG Issues Licenses to 11 New Private Universities, Full List Emerges
- 5 Nigerian Private Universities With Reasonable School Fees
10 most expensive private universities in Nigeria
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that some top private universities in Nigeria are being funded by prominent personalities, including politicians and men of God.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, RCCG's Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo and the late Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe are the owners of some of the most expensive private universities in Nigeria.
This article by Legit.ng compiled the list of these private institutions, the programmes they offer and the tuition fees for each programme.
Source: Legit.ng
