Victor EzejaIn the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, not less than 90 universities have been approved for operations in the education sector.
According to data obtained from the National Universities (NUC) 10 Federal Universities, 22 State Universities, and 58 Private Universities have been established from 2015 to date.
The Federal Government, on Monday, 15 May in Abuja, announced approval for the establishment of 37 new private universities across the country. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who made the announcement after an extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, said the approval was granted after considering the importance of education in bolstering the economic fortunes of Nigeria.
In this article, we are going to look at the list of newly licensed universities with their vice chancellors under the Buhari administration from 2015 to date.
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The NUC data shows that in 2015, the government approved one state and nine private universities for establishment. In 2016, four state and five private universities were approved. In 2017, two state and four private universities; in 2018- three federal, one state, and one private university were approved. In 2019, two state and four private universities were approved; in 2020- two federal, and two state universities were approved; in 2021- four federal, three state, and 18 private universities. In 2022, one federal, six state, and 12 private universities were approved.
For 2023, the Buhari administration has approved one state university and announced another recently announced announce the approval of 37 new private universities. However, the names of the institutions are yet to be made public.
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Below is the list of the universities as found in the NUC record:
New Federal Universities, year of establishment and their VCs
1. Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna (2018) Prof. Mohammed Dauda – Provost
2. Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State (2020) – Prof Musa Isiyaku Ahmed
3. Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State (2021) – Prof Bala Audu
4. Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State (2021) – Prof Akeem Olawale Lasisi
5. Federal University of Health Technology Otukpo, Benue State (2020) – Prof. Innocent Ujah
6. Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State (2021) – Prof Sabo I Birnin-kudu
7. Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State (2021) – Prof. Leo Daniel
8. King David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi state (2022) Prof. Jesse Uneke
9. Nigerian Army University Biu, (2018) – Prof. Kyari Mohammed
10. Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State (2018), Prof. Emmanuel Adigio (Vice chancellor)
New State Universities
11. Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology Ikere, Ekiti State (2020) – Prof. Olufemi Adeoluwa
12. Bayelsa Medical University (2019) – Prof. Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu
13. Bornu State University, Maiduguri (2016) – Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe
14. Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi (2020) – Prof. Salawu Sadiku
15. Delta University of Science and Technology, Ozoro (2021) – Jacob Snapps Oboreh
16. Dennis Osadebe University, Asaba (2021) – Prof Ben Emukufia Akpoyomare Oghojafor
17. Edo State University Uzairue (2016) – Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor (Acting VC)
18. Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo State (2022) – Dr. Nelson Aderemi Oyewo (Acting Provost)
19. Enugu State University of Medicine and Applied Sciences, Igbo-Eno (2022) – Prof. James Chukwuma Ogbonna
20. Gombe State University of Science and Technology (2017) – Prof. Abdullahi Mahdi
21. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University Ogboko, Imo State (2016) Prof. Ikechukwu N. S. Dozie
22. Lagos University of Education, Ijanikin (2022) – Prof. Bidemi bilkis lafiaji-okuneye
23. Lagos University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu (2022) – Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya
24. Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology Abeokuta (2017) – Prof Akinwale Coker
25. Ondo State University of Medical Sciences (2015) – Prof. Adesegun Fatusi
26. Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education (2023) – Dr Yahaya Isa Bunkure (Provost)
27. Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto (2022) – Prof. Malami Umar Tambuwal
28. The University of Africa Toru Orua, Bayelsa State (2016) – Prof. Kingston Nyamapfene
29. University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo, Imo State (2019) – Prof. Patrick E. Egbule
30. University of Delta, Agbor (2021) – Prof. Stells C. Chiemeke
31. University of Ilesa, Osun State (2022) – Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu
32. Zamfara State University (2018) – Prof Yahaya Zakari Abdullahi
Private Universities
33. Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa Delta State (2017) – Prof. Paul Omojo Omaji
34. Ahman Pategi University, Kwara State (2021) – Prof. Adebola Mahfouz Adedimeji
35. Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State (2021) – Prof. Salisu Shehu
36. Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno (2022) – Prof. Abubakar Kundiri
37. Anan University, Kwall, Plateau State (2021) – Prof. Inuwa Musa-Fodio
38. Arthur Javis University Akpoyubo Cross River State (2016) – Prof. Julian Osuji
39. Atiba University Oyo (2017) – Prof Sunday Okeniyi
40. Augustine University (2015) – Prof. Steve Afolami
41. Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State (2021) – Rev. Fr. Prof. Michael N. Ushe
42. Baba Ahmed University, Kano State (2022) – Professor Adamu Idris Tanko
43. Capital City University, Kano State (2021) – Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubakar
44. Chrisland University (2015) – Prof (Mrs) Chinedum Peace Babalola
45. Christopher University Mowe (2015) – Prof. Oyelana Olatunji
46. Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State (2021) – Rev. Fr. Dr. Wenceslaus Madu
47. Clifford University Owerrinta Abia State (2016) – Prof. Chimezie A Omeonu
48. Coal City University Enugu State (2016) – Professor Icha-Ituma
49. Crown Hill University Eiyenkorin, Kwara State (2016) – Prof John Adesiji Olorunmaiye
50. Dominican University Ibadan Oyo State (2016) – Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi
51. Dominion University Ibadan, Oyo State (2019) – Prof Olajide A. Olorunisola
52. Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State (2021) – Prof. Muhammad Alkali
53. Edwin Clark University, Kaigbodo (2015) – Prof. Timothy O Olagbemiro
54. Greenfield University, Kaduna (2019) – Prof. Simon Katung
55. Hallmark University, Ijebi Itele, Ogun (2015) – Prof. Segun Odunola
56. Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State (2021) – Samuel Tita Wara
57. Hezekiah University, Umudi (2015) – Prof. Chiedozie O. Ibegbulem
58. James Hope University, Lagos, Lagos State (2021) – Prof. Chukwuka Enwemeka
59. Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State (2021) – Prof. Nanven Audu Gambo
60. Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano (2022)
61. Kings University, Ode Omu (2015) – Prof. Adenike Kuku
62. Legacy University, Okija Anambra State (2016) -Prof. Moses Nkem Chendo
63. Maranathan University, Mgbidi, Imo State (2021) – Prof. Ogwu Ogwu
64. Margaret Lawrence University, Umunede, Delta State (2022) – Prof. Augustine Odili
65. Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano State (2021) – Prof. Mohammad Israr
66. Mewar International University, Masaka, Nasarawa State (2021) – Prof. Mohammad Israr
67. Micheal & Cecilia Ibru University (2015) – Prof. (Mrs.) IbiynkaA. Fuwape
68. Mountain Top University (2015) – Prof Elijah Ayolabi
69. Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State (2021) – Prof. Ernest Izevbigie
70. Newgate University, Minna, Niger State (2022) – Prof Sadiq Yusuf
71. Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State (2022) – Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi
72. NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State (2021) – Prof. Ishaya Haruna Nock
73. North West University Sokoto State (2022) – Professor Ahmed Maigari Ibrahim
74. PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt (2017) – Prof. Michael Diejomaoh
75. PEN Resource University Gombe (2022) – Prof. Yusuph Amuda Yahaya
76. Peter University, Achina-Onneh Anambra State (2022) – Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel Umezinwa
77. Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja (2021) – Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State
78. Precious Cornerstone University, Oyo (2017) – Prof. Julius Kolawole Oloke
79. Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom (2015) – Prof. Celestine A Ntuen
80. Saisa University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Sokoto State (2022)
81. Skyline University, Kano (2018) – Dr. Ajith Kumar
82. Spiritan University, Nneochi Abia State (2017) – Prof. Remy Onyewuenyi
83. Sports University, Idumuje, Ugboko, Delta State (2022)
84. Summit University, Offa (2015) – Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu
85. The European University of Nigeria, Duboyi, FCT (2022)
86. Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State (2021) – Professor Francisca Oladipo
87. Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State (2021) – Prof. Patrick James Ebewo
88. Trinity University Ogun State (2019) – Professor Charles Korede Ayo
89. University of Offa, Kwara State (2021) – Prof. Musa Aibinu
90. Westland University Iwo, Osun State (2019) – Prof. Oshiotse A. Okwilagwe
Concerns on Proliferation of Universities in Nigeria
According to data from the National Universities Commission (NUC) Nigeria has not less than 221 universities.
Federal universities are 50 in number and consistently record the highest number of Nigerian students in terms of enrolment. There are 60 state-owned and 111 owned by private individuals and organisation, according to NUC data.
As the authorities keep approving the establishment of new universities, there have been divided views on the implication. While some say it would help citizens eager to acquire university education to have wider choices, and reduce the number of enrolments in such schools to what they can manage, others aver that what is needed is conscious effort to upgrade existing ones, especially the federal and state-owned ones to offer quality education to the citizens.
Part of the demand of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) last year when it embarked on eight months strike was for the federal government to halt the establishment of new universities when failing to adequately fund existing ones.
Apart from lack of funding and adequate facility for existing institutions, analysts also observed that establishing new ones poses huge problems, especially in recruiting qualified academic staff, and meeting global standards, among other challenges.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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