The National Universities Commission (NUC) is set to issue provisional licenses to 11 newly approved private universities today, bringing the total number of licensed private institutions in Nigeria to 159.

According to a notice sent to journalists in Abuja, the official licensing ceremony is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. at the NUC auditorium.

“The NUC will issue provisional licenses to 11 new private universities at the NUC auditorium by 3:00pm,” the commission announced in the brief statement.

The development comes despite the Federal Government’s earlier suspension of new licenses for private universities. The Ministry of Education had clarified at the time that institutions which had already reached advanced stages in the application process would still be considered, provided they met regulatory requirements.

The newly licensed universities include:

• New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State
• University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State
• Eranova University, Mabushi, FCT
• Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annexe
• Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State
• Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
• Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State
• Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State
• Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo State
• Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos
• Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State

The approval underscores the growing demand for higher education in Nigeria and the government’s commitment to expanding access through private sector participation.