The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 33 new universities across Nigeria in 2025, raising 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.
The federal government established seven new universities, while state governments set up six within the same period.
The seven federal universities are located in Rivers, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Zamfara states. State governments also expanded the system. Niger, Benue, Cross River and Imo states each created one new university, while Ebonyi State established two.
Out of the 20 private universities approved last 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 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 the new additions, private universities now account for 168 institutions nationwide. Federal universities stand at 74, while state-owned universities are 67.
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 new 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.
