"The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved new private universities and accredited programmes across Nigerian institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session. Discover the full list of approved universities, accredited programmes, and policy changes affecting admissions."
NUC Approves New Private Universities, Accredits Programmes for 2026/2027 — Full List and Updates
Published: July 31, 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
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📌 Overview
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been actively reshaping Nigeria's higher education landscape throughout 2026. From approving new private universities and accrediting academic programmes to implementing major policy changes and expanding online learning opportunities, the Commission has taken significant steps that directly impact prospective students, parents, and university administrators.
This comprehensive guide provides the latest updates on NUC's 2026 activities, including a full list of newly approved universities, accredited programmes, policy changes, and what these developments mean for candidates seeking admission into the 2026/2027 academic session.
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🆕 New Universities Approved in 2026
Nigeria Now Has 328 Universities
The NUC has confirmed that Nigeria now has 328 universities following the issuance of provisional licences to additional institutions across the country. [reference:0]
Regnum Medical University, Lagos — Operating Licence Granted
On July 27, 2026, Regnum Medical University, Anthony, Lagos, received its operating licence from the NUC following approval by the Federal Executive Council. [reference:1]
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Location | Anthony, Lagos State |
| Licence Date | July 27, 2026 |
| Initial Programmes | Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Nursing (B.N.Sc.), Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), Radiography (B.Rad.) [reference:2][reference:3] |
Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Sciences — First Private-to-State Conversion
In a historic move, the NUC formally approved the establishment of Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Sciences as Nigeria's 70th state-owned university. This marks the first private-to-state university conversion in Nigeria's history, acquired by the Jigawa State Government to strengthen healthcare manpower development and build local training capacity. [reference:4][reference:5]
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🏫 33 New Universities Approved Earlier in 2026
In February 2026, the NUC approved 33 new universities, bringing the total number of universities in Nigeria to 309 at that time. [reference:6][reference:7]
Breakdown of the 33 Universities
| Category | Number |
|----------|--------|
| Federal Government | 7 new institutions |
| State Governments | 6 new institutions |
| Private Sector | 20 new private universities [reference:8][reference:9] |
List of New Private Universities Approved
| S/N | University Name | Location |
|-----|-----------------|----------|
| 1 | Leadership University | Abuja, FCT |
| 2 | Jimoh Babalola University | Ilorin, Kwara State |
| 3 | Bridget University | Mbaise, Okirika-Nweke, Imo State |
| 4 | Regnum Medical University | Lagos (Licensed July 2026) |
[Additional private universities were approved as part of the 20 new institutions]
> 📌 Note: Six of the new private universities are spread across Lagos, the FCT, and Imo, with each hosting two. [reference:10]
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🏛️ Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture — 313th University in Nigeria
The NUC granted official recognition to the Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action, Gembu, bringing the total number of universities in Nigeria to 313. [reference:11][reference:12]
Key Facts:
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Institution | Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action |
| Location | Gembu, Taraba State |
| Status | 69th state-owned university; 313th university in Nigeria [reference:13] |
| Focus | Agricultural innovation, climate research, technology-driven development [reference:14] |
The recognition marks a significant step in Taraba State's effort to position itself as a hub for agricultural innovation, climate research, and technology-driven development, while further expanding access to higher education in Nigeria. [reference:15]
NUC Approves 24 Undergraduate Programmes for Taraba State University
Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, has secured NUC approval to commence 24 new undergraduate programmes from the 2026/2027 academic session, to be offered on a full-time basis at the university's main campus in Jalingo. [reference:16]
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📚 Programme Accreditations and Approvals in 2026
FUNAAB Secures Approval for Six New Degree Programmes
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has secured NUC approval for six new undergraduate programmes, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session. [reference:17][reference:18]
Newly Approved Programmes at FUNAAB:
| S/N | Programme |
|-----|-----------|
| 1 | B.Sc. Geophysics |
| 2 | B.Sc. Public Health |
| 3 | B.Sc. Biotechnology |
| 4 | B.Sc. Science Laboratory Technology |
| 5 | B.Sc. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) |
| 6 | B.Sc. Clothing and Textile [reference:19][reference:20] |
BOUESTI Lands Major NUC Approval for Postgraduate Expansion
Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), has secured NUC approval to begin running 33 postgraduate programmes starting from the 2026/2027 academic session. [reference:21]
The newly cleared programmes span several disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, management sciences, education, natural sciences, environmental sciences, as well as communication and technology. [reference:22]
KolaDaisi University Secures Full NUC Accreditation
The NUC has granted full accreditation to all academic programmes currently run by KolaDaisi University. The programmes presented from the Colleges of Applied Sciences, Arts, Management and Social Sciences, and Law all received full accreditation. [reference:23][reference:24]
Achievers University Secures Full Accreditation for Seven New Courses
Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, has received NUC approval for seven academic programmes. [reference:25]
| S/N | Programme |
|-----|-----------|
| 1 | Medical Laboratory Science |
| 2 | Computer Engineering |
| 3 | Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 5 | Microbiology |
| 6 | Criminology and Security Studies |
| 7 | Sociology [reference:26] |
FUAHSE Gets NUC Nod for 27 Academic Programmes
The Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu (FUAHSE), has received NUC approval for 27 academic programmes, including Nursing Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Dental Technology, Physiotherapy, Public Health, and Biomedical Engineering. [reference:27]
Margaret Lawrence University Gets NUC Approval for Engineering Programmes
Margaret Lawrence University has secured NUC approval for new Engineering, Management, and Social Sciences programmes. [reference:28]
Newly Approved Engineering Programmes:
| S/N | Programme |
|-----|-----------|
| 1 | Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 3 | Computer Engineering |
| 4 | Civil Engineering [reference:29] |
James Hope University Seeks NUC Accreditation for Three Postgraduate Programmes
James Hope University has expressed confidence in securing accreditation from the NUC for three new postgraduate programmes: FinTech and Analytics; Innovation, Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship; and Economic Development and Policy Analysis. [reference:30]
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📜 Major NUC Policy Changes in 2026
Private University Application Fee Increased by 400%
The NUC has announced a significant increase in the application fees for establishing private universities in Nigeria. The application fee for establishing private universities was raised from ₦5 million to ₦25 million, representing a 500% increment. [reference:31][reference:32]
| Fee Component | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
|---------------|---------|---------|----------|
| Application Form Fee | ₦1 million | ₦5 million | 400% |
| Processing Fee | ₦5 million | ₦25 million | 400% [reference:33] |
> 📌 Note: Applicants are expected to effect payments within a period of thirty (30) working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications. [reference:34]
NUC Suspends Approval of Private Universities for One Year
The NUC has suspended the approval of licences for private universities for one year while also implementing the fee hike. [reference:35][reference:36]
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🌐 Online and Distance Learning Approvals
Miva Open University Secures NUC Full Accreditation
Miva Open University has secured NUC full accreditation for 12 of its academic programmes, marking a significant moment for open and distance education in Nigeria. [reference:37][reference:38]
The accreditation exercise took place between October 15 and November 14, 2025. The outcome was communicated in a formal letter from the NUC dated April 7, 2026, confirming that all programmes received full accreditation. [reference:39]
Kaduna State University (KASU) Gets NUC Approval for Distance Learning Institute
Kaduna State University has received NUC approval to commence a Distance Learning Institute. [reference:40]
The approval was conveyed in a letter dated 15 July 2026, following the successful validation of the proposed Distance Learning Institute by an NUC panel that visited the university between 14 and 16 April 2026. [reference:41]
KWASU Gets NUC Approval for 24 New Academic Programmes
Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has received NUC approval to begin 24 new academic programmes from the 2026/2027 academic session. [reference:42]
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📊 Complete List of NUC-Accredited State Universities (2026)
As of 2026, Nigeria has 39 accredited state universities. Below is the full list:
| S/N | State University |
|-----|------------------|
| 1 | Abia State University, Uturu |
| 2 | Adamawa State University, Mubi |
| 3 | Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba |
| 4 | Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden |
| 5 | Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma |
| 6 | Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli |
| 7 | Bauchi State University, Gadau |
| 8 | Benue State University, Makurdi |
| 9 | Yobe State University, Damaturu |
| 10 | Cross River University of Technology, Calabar |
| 11 | Delta State University, Abraka |
| 12 | Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki |
| 13 | Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti |
| 14 | Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu |
| 15 | Gombe State University, Gombe |
| 16 | Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai |
| 17 | Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt |
| 18 | Imo State University, Owerri |
| 19 | Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, Jigawa |
| 20 | Kaduna State University, Kaduna |
| 21 | Kano University of Science & Technology, Wudil |
| 22 | Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero |
| 23 | Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba |
| 24 | Kwara State University, Ilorin |
| 25 | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso |
| 26 | Lagos State University, Ojo |
| 27 | Niger Delta University, Yenagoa |
| 28 | Nasarawa State University, Keffi |
| 29 | Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye |
| 30 | Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa |
| 31 | Osun State University, Osogbo |
| 32 | Plateau State University, Bokkos |
| 33 | Rivers State University, Port Harcourt |
| 34 | Sokoto State University, Sokoto |
| 35 | Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode |
| 36 | Taraba State University, Jalingo |
| 37 | Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Katsina |
| 38 | Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano |
| 39 | Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) [reference:43] |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many universities are there in Nigeria now?
A: As of July 2026, Nigeria has 328 universities following the issuance of provisional licences to additional institutions. [reference:44]
Q: What new private universities were approved in 2026?
A: New private universities approved in 2026 include Regnum Medical University, Lagos (licenced July 2026), Leadership University, Abuja, Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin, Bridget University, Imo State, and Jigawa State University of Medical and Allied Sciences (converted from private to state). [reference:45][reference:46][reference:47]
Q: What is the new fee for establishing a private university?
A: The application and processing fee for establishing a private university has been increased to ₦25 million, up from ₦5 million. [reference:48]
Q: Has NUC suspended private university approvals?
A: Yes, the NUC has suspended the approval of licences for private universities for one year. [reference:49]
Q: What online learning approvals has NUC granted?
A: The NUC has granted full accreditation to Miva Open University for 12 programmes, approved Kaduna State University's Distance Learning Institute, and granted KWASU approval for 24 new programmes. [reference:50][reference:51][reference:52]
Q: Where can I find the full list of NUC-accredited universities?
A: The complete and official list of all accredited universities is maintained by the NUC. Candidates are advised to verify the accreditation status of any university directly through the NUC official website. [reference:53]
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> 📌 Editor's Note: This article is based on official NUC announcements and verified sources as of July 2026. The number of universities continues to grow as new institutions receive approval. Always verify critical information through official channels.
