National Universities Commission Approves 33 New Universities, Raising Total to 309

The National Universities Commission (NUC) approved 33 new universities across the country in 2025, increasing the total number of universities in Nigeria to 309.
Data obtained from the Commission’s website indicates that 20 new private universities were granted operational licences last year.

In addition, the federal government established seven new institutions, while state governments account for the remaining additions.
The new federal universities are located in Rivers, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, and Zamfara states. Niger, Benue, Cross River, and Imo states each established one new university, while Ebonyi State established two.
Among the 20 newly approved private universities, six are situated across Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Imo State, with each hosting two institutions.
Another six are located in Ogun and Kwara states, with three in each state. The remaining private universities are spread across Ondo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna, and Taraba states.
Of the total 309 universities, the private sector leads with 168 institutions, followed by the federal government with 74, while state governments account for 67.
Some of the newly established 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 Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, among others.
New state universities include Abdulsalam Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Action, Mokwa, Niger State; Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe, Ebonyi State; Cross River University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, Cross River State; and Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh.
The newly licensed private universities include Leadership University, Abuja, FCT; Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin, Kwara State; Bridget University, Mbaise, Okirika-Nweke, Imo State; Greenland University, Jalingo, Taraba State; JEFAP University, Suleja, Niger State; Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Imo State; 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 programmes were introduced in Nigerian universities in 2025 following the approval of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
He explained that the initiative is aimed at transforming the Nigerian University System (NUS) to produce globally competitive graduates.
According to him, CCMAS serves as a framework guiding university programmes in Nigeria, with 70 percent dedicated to core content and 30 percent reserved for institution-specific content.
The newly introduced programmes also integrate 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving, with varying emphasis depending on the discipline.