The National Universities Commission (NUC) approved 33 new universities across Nigeria in 2025, bringing the total number of universities in the country to 309.
Data obtained from the commission’s website shows that 20 of the newly approved institutions are private universities, while the federal government established seven and state governments accounted for six.
The new federal universities are located in Rivers, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Zamfara states. Niger, Benue, Cross River and Imo states established one university each, while Ebonyi state established two.
Among the new federal institutions are the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Tai, Rivers state; Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna state; Federal University of Agriculture and Developmental Studies, Iragbiji, Osun state; Federal University of Technology and Environmental Studies, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti state; and Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo state.
Newly established state universities include Abdulsalam Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Action, Mokwa, Niger state; Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe; Cross River University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa; and Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh.
Of the 20 new private universities, six are located across Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Imo states, with each hosting two. Ogun and Kwara states account for six others, three each, while the remaining institutions are spread across Ondo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna and Taraba states.
Some of the new private universities include Leadership University, Abuja; Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin; Bridget University, Mbaise, Imo state; Greenland University, Jalingo, Taraba state; JEFAP University, Suleja; Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Imo state; and Unique Open University, Ojo, Lagos state.
With the latest approvals, private universities now lead with 168 institutions nationwide, followed by 74 federal universities and 67 state-owned universities.
In January 2026, Abdullahi Ribadu, executive secretary of the NUC, said more than 879 new academic programmes were introduced in Nigerian universities in 2025 following the recently approved Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
Ribadu said the reforms are aimed at transforming the Nigerian university system to produce globally competitive graduates.
According to him, CCMAS provides a framework for university programmes in Nigeria, allocating 70 per cent to core content and 30 per cent to institution-specific content.
He added that the new programmes incorporate 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship and problem-solving, with varying emphasis across disciplines.
