The Federal Government has approved the establishment of 20 new private universities in Nigeria.
The universities, as approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, are to be given provisional licenses to run for three years while the ministry monitors and evaluates their growth.
This brings the total number of private universities in the country to 99.
Also during the meeting, members observed a minute of silence for two late cabinet members who died recently – Alfa Wali and Tony Momoh.
The Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Mongunu, as well as seven ministers physically, attended the meeting.
The ministers included Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, and Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.