Peter University, Achina-Onneh, Anambra State, has officially been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), marking a historic moment for the institution and a significant expansion of Nigeria’s private higher education landscape.

The approval was announced on Wednesday in Abuja following the FEC meeting, with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, confirming that the council granted licences to 12 new private universities across the country. The minister disclosed that he spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

According to Mohammed, the newly approved universities will operate under the guidance and academic supervision of established public universities to ensure strict adherence to academic standards, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance during their formative years.

Peter University will be mentored by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, a partnership expected to strengthen its academic framework, staffing, admissions process, and examination standards.

The 12 approved private universities are:

PEN Resource University, Gombe – supervised by Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola

Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State – supervised by the University of Maiduguri

Margaret Lawrence University, Calilee, Delta State – supervised by Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano – supervised by Bayero University, Kano

Sports University, Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State – supervised by the University of Benin

Baba Ahmed University, Kano – supervised by Bayero University, Kano

Saisa University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Sokoto – supervised by Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto

Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State – supervised by the University of Port Harcourt

Peter University, Achina-Onneh, Anambra State – supervised by Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Newgate University, Minna, Niger State – supervised by the Federal University of Technology, Minna

European University of Nigeria, Duboyi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – supervised by the University of Abuja

North West University, Sokoto – supervised by Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto

The minister explained that the supervising universities will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment of principal officers, academic and administrative staff; ensuring adequate human and material resources for academic programmes; enforcing approved carrying capacity; moderating admissions, examinations, and results; and conducting general quality assurance and staff development activities.

The approval of Peter University is being hailed as a major milestone for Anambra State and the Southeast region, as it reflects the federal government’s commitment to expanding access to quality tertiary education while maintaining global academic standards.

With this development, Peter University is set to commence its academic journey with a strong institutional foundation, positioning itself as a centre for learning, innovation, and community development in Nigeria’s evolving education sector.