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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 33 new universities across Nigeria in 2025, increasing the total number of universities in the country to 309.
According to Ireporter Online, details obtained from the commission’s official portal indicate that 20 of the newly licensed institutions are privately owned. The Federal Government established seven new universities during the period, while state governments accounted for six additional institutions.
The seven federal universities are situated in Rivers, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Zamfara states. State governments also expanded the higher education landscape, with Niger, Benue, Cross River and Imo states each establishing one university, while Ebonyi State created two new institutions.
Of the 20 private universities approved within the year, six are located across Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory and Imo State, with each of the three areas hosting two institutions. Another six private universities are spread between Ogun and Kwara states, with three in each state. The remaining institutions are located in Ondo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna and Taraba states.
With the latest approvals, private universities now account for 168 institutions nationwide, while federal universities stand at 74 and state-owned universities total 67.
Among the newly established federal institutions are the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Tai, Rivers State; the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State; the Federal University of Agriculture and Developmental Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State; the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State; and the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State.
Newly created state institutions include the 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.
The list of approved private universities features Leadership University, Abuja; 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.
