The Federal Executive  Council (FEC  has approved provisional licenses for 11 new private universities.

  The approval brings the total number of private universities in the country to 150. There are 125  public varsities nationwide.

  Education Minister  Tunji Alausa, who announced the approvals after the FEC meeting, also said that a moratorium has been placed on the issuance of licences for private universities.

  He however clarified that those already in advanced stages of the approval process would not be affected.

“The 11 universities have been awarded provisional licences after fulfilling the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) 13-step process.

“While a moratorium has been placed on new licenses, universities that have invested heavily and are nearing completion of the approval process will still be considered,” Alausa said.

The new tertiary institutions include New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); and Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State.

Others are Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State; Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State; and Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State.

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