Why the Approval of 11 New Private Universities by FEC is a Game-Changer

Nigeria's higher education sector has grown even more with the approval of provisional licenses for 11 additional private universities by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

In addition to announcing the approvals following the FEC meeting, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed that a moratorium has been imposed on the granting of licenses to more private universities.

He made it clear, though, that this would not impact institutions that were already far along in the certification process.

New City University in Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune in Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University in Mabushi, FCT; and Minaret University in Ikirun, Osun State, are among the recently authorized establishments.

Other institutions include Southern Atlantic University in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Abubakar Toyin University in Oke-Agba, Kwara State; Lens University in Ilemona, Kwara State; and Monarch University in Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State.

Additionally authorized are Kevin Eze University in Mgbowo, Enugu State; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management in Lagos; and Tonnie Iredia University of Communication in Benin City, Edo State.

Alausa gave reassurance that the FEC is still dedicated to increasing access to high-quality postsecondary education and would keep assessing colleges that satisfy the necessary requirements and investment requirements.

Nigeria now boasts more than 150 private universities, a substantial rise in response to the nation's rising demand for higher education.

With N500 million set aside to assist women in the industry, the FEC also approved a strategy to boost local leather goods and footwear manufacture.

Following the FEC meeting on Monday, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs, made the announcement.

The Minister stated that the clearance gives the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology the authority to provide starter packs for the production of leather and footwear, an industry in which women are essential.

According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, "this is exciting for us because it encourages women's participation in an industry with high potential for economic growth."

She went on to say that the program makes sure that women have a share of the intervention, giving them the resources they need to grow their companies and support regional manufacturing.

In order to give women the resources they need to grow their enterprises and support local production, we advocated for a portion of this intervention to go to them, she said.

Beyond empowering female entrepreneurs, Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that the intervention would also boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by strengthening local manufacturing.