The Pathfinder
Tuesday February 17, 2026
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The National Universities Commission (NUC) approved 33 new universities in 2025, bringing the total number of universities in Nigeria to 309.
Data from the commission shows that 20 private universities received operating licences during the year, while the federal government established seven new institutions and state governments created six.
The newly approved federal universities are located in Rivers, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Zamfara states. Niger, Benue, Cross River and Imo states established one university each, while Ebonyi state established two.
Of the 20 private universities, six are located across Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory and Imo states, with each hosting two institutions. Ogun and Kwara states account for six private universities, three each, while others are situated in Ondo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna and Taraba states.
With the latest approvals, private universities now lead with 168 institutions, followed by 74 federal universities and 67 owned by state governments.
Some of the new federal institutions include the Federal University of Environment and Technology, 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; and the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State.
Among the newly established state universities are 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; and Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh.
Private universities approved during the period include Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin; Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo State; Greenland University, Jalingo; JEFAP University, Suleja; Azione Verde University, Amaigbo; and Unique Open University, Ojo, Lagos State, among others.
In January 2026, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed that more than 879 new academic programmes were introduced in Nigerian universities in 2025 following the implementation of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards framework.
He said the reform is aimed at transforming the Nigerian university system to produce globally competitive graduates, with 70 per cent of course content devoted to core curriculum and 30 per cent tailored to institution-specific needs, incorporating digital literacy, entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills.
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