The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the establishment of 20 new private universities in Nigeria.
The FEC, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, gave the approval after a presentation by the Ministry of Education.
The schools will be given provisional licenses to run for three years, while the ministry monitors their growth.
Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State; Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State; Maranathan University, Mgbidi, Imo State; Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State, and Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State.
Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State; Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State; Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State; NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State.
James Hope University, Lagos, Lagos State; Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano State; Capital City University, Kano State; Ahman Pategi University, Kwara State, and University of Offa, Kwara State.
The rest are Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State; Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State; Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja; Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State, and Anan University, Kwall, Plateau State.
Nine are located in North-Central, three in South-South, two in South-East, five in North-West and one in South-West.
The total number of private universities in Nigeria has risen to 99.