Full List: NUC Approves 33 New Universities
Last update: February 17, 2026
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NUC approves new universities in 2025, raising Nigeria’s total to 309 institutions...
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.
Information obtained from the commission’s official website shows that 20 of the newly approved institutions are privately owned, reflecting continued private sector participation in the nation’s higher education system.
Within the same period, the Federal Government established seven new universities, while state governments set up six.
The seven federal universities are located in Rivers, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Zamfara states.
CBI News reports that the state governments also expanded their presence in the sector, with Niger, Benue, Cross River and Imo states each creating one new university, while Ebonyi State established two.
Of the 20 private universities approved last year, six are situated across Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory and Imo State, with each of the three areas hosting two institutions.
Another six private universities are located in Ogun and Kwara states, with three in each state.
The remaining private institutions are spread across Ondo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna and Taraba states.
With these additions, private universities now account for 168 institutions nationwide.
Federal universities stand at 74, while state-owned universities total 67, further diversifying Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
Some of the newly created federal institutions include the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Tai, Rivers State; the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna State; the Federal University of Agriculture and Developmental Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State; the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State; and the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in Okeho, Oyo State.
Among the new state universities are Abdulsalam Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Action in Mokwa, Niger State; Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology in Oferekpe; Cross River University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa; and Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Ihugh.
The list of newly approved private universities includes Leadership University in Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University in Ilorin, Kwara State; Bridget University in Mbaise, Okirika-Nweke, Imo State; Greenland University in Jalingo, Taraba State; JEFAP University in Suleja, Niger State; Azione Verde University in Amaigbo, Imo State; and Unique Open University in Ojo, Lagos State, among others.
