The National Universities Commission (NUC), on Thursday, 30th July 2026, presented a provisional licence to the newly approved Abdulfatai Durojaiye University, Abeokuta, following its approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
At a brief ceremony held in the office of the Executive Secretary, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, FCVSN, congratulated the Proprietor, Dr. Abdulfatai Durojaiye, for his perseverance and patience in successfully navigating the Commission’s rigorous licensing process.
Professor Ribadu urged the proprietor to uphold the highest standards in the administration of the university and adopt global best practices in delivering quality academic programmes.
He expressed satisfaction with the continued collaboration between the Federal Government and the private sector in expanding access to quality university education within the Nigerian University System (NUS).
The Executive Secretary explained that the issuance of the provisional licence marks the beginning of another critical phase, which entails the diligent implementation of the university’s proposed academic programmes as contained in its Academic Brief.
According to him, the next stage is the resource verification of the proposed 13 academic programmes to assess the institution’s readiness by evaluating its human and material resources before the commencement of academic activities.
He informed the university management that the timing of its take-off would depend on when it invites the Commission to conduct the resource verification exercise, noting that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission window remains open until 30th November 2026.
Professor Ribadu further explained that while the proprietor’s interaction with the Commission had largely been through the Directorate of Establishment of Private Universities (DEPU), the university would now engage regularly with other Directorates, including Academic Planning (DAP), Inspection and Monitoring (DIM), Accreditation (DA), and other relevant units as it grows and develops.
He acknowledged the enormous responsibility of establishing a new university, particularly one commencing operations with three faculties and 13 academic programmes, and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the institution to ensure a smooth and successful take-off.
“It is on this premise that the Commission has appointed the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), as your mentoring institution to enable you weather the storms,” he said.
The Executive Secretary explained that the mentoring arrangement would remain in place for five years to provide guidance and institutional support as the university develops into a mature institution.
He noted that the mentoring would cover key areas such as staff recruitment, ensuring transparent and merit-based processes, as well as the establishment of a functional Registry and other essential administrative and service units necessary for effective university governance and quality assurance.
Professor Ribadu also reminded the proprietor that the provisional licence remains valid for three years, after which the Directorate of Inspection and Monitoring (DIM) would conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether the university qualifies for a full operational licence, requires an extension to address identified deficiencies, or, where necessary, has its provisional licence withdrawn in accordance with established regulatory requirements.
Responding, the Proprietor, Dr. Abdulfatai Durojaiye, expressed appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa; and the Executive Secretary and Management of the NUC for guiding the institution through the rigorous approval process.
He disclosed that it took nearly four years to attain the milestone, describing the journey as one filled with invaluable learning experiences.
According to him, the establishment of the university is a legacy project intended to give back to Nigeria, the country that provided him with the opportunities to attain success.
Dr. Durojaiye assured the Commission that he would justify the confidence reposed in him by ensuring that quality remains the hallmark of the institution’s operations.
He added that his vision is to build a world-class university and described the presentation of the provisional licence as a great honour. The university delegation included the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Abdulrazak Olusegun, Otunba, and other members of the University’s Governing Council.