…Expansion spans federal, state and private institutions as government moves to widen access amid quality concerns
By Danjuma AMODU
The National Universities Commission has expanded Nigeria’s higher education landscape with the approval of 33 new universities, pushing the total number of degree-awarding institutions in the country to 309.
The approvals, granted between 2025 and early 2026, cut across federal, state and private ownership and reflect sustained demand for tertiary education. Of the new institutions, seven are federal universities, six are owned by state governments, and 20 are private. The growth is largely driven by the private sector, which now accounts for 168 of the 309 universities nationwide, compared to 74 federal and 67 state institutions.
The new federal universities were established to improve access in underserved geopolitical zones and to expand specialised training in science, technology and agriculture. They include the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Tai, Rivers State; Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State; Federal University of Agriculture and Developmental Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State; Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State; Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun-Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State; and Federal University of Health Science and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State. Over 10 states benefited from the federal approvals, with others located in Niger, Benue, Cross River and Imo, while Ebonyi received two.
At the state level, new institutions were set up to ease pressure on federal universities and to provide more affordable options closer to home. They include Abdulsalam Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Action, Mokwa, Niger State; Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe; Cross River University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa; Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh; University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, Ezza, Ebonyi State; and University of Innovation, Science and Technology, Omuma, Imo State.
The private universities make up the largest share of the approvals, with investors ranging from individuals to faith-based organisations and corporate groups. Lagos, the FCT and Imo each host two of the new private schools. Examples include Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin; Bridget University, Mbaise; Greenland University, Jalingo; and Unique Open University, Ojo, Lagos.
Education leaders say the expansion is intended to widen access, promote specialised research in areas such as agriculture, technology, climate and entrepreneurship, and align Nigerian higher education with international standards. The NUC has also approved new academic programmes expected to take off in the 2025/2026 session.
The development comes amid concerns about quality, funding and staffing. To address this, the Federal Executive Council has approved a six-year suspension on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, a decision the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said was necessary to consolidate existing institutions. The NUC stated that all approvals followed strict assessments of land, funding, academic staff and governance, and that provisionally licensed universities will undergo regular accreditation visits before full status is granted. JAMB has also directed that admissions into the new schools must be processed only through CAPS, with no room for regularization of illegal entries.
“The goal is to improve access while ensuring that standards are not compromised”
With Nigeria’s youth population continuing to grow, the addition of 33 universities marks one of the biggest expansions in recent years. How well the sector absorbs the new institutions without diluting quality will be the test in the years ahead.
