NUC Approves New Private University in Osun

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of Owolabi University in Oke-Ila Orangun, Osun State, expanding the number of private universities in Nigeria.

The institution, established by Bishop Owolabi, received its operating licence from the commission on July 24, 2026, with approval to commence academic activities in three faculties comprising 15 academic programmes across nine departments.

The approved faculties are Allied Sciences, Sciences and Computing, and Management Sciences.

The development was disclosed by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), which announced that it had been appointed as the mentoring institution for the newly established university.

FUNAAB made this known in a statement published on August 8, 2026, following a courtesy visit by the Owolabi University delegation to its campus on August 6.

During the visit, FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, assured the delegation of the institution’s commitment to providing academic guidance and other necessary support to ensure a successful take-off.

He also advised the university’s management to engage relevant departments and units at FUNAAB as part of preparations for the NUC’s resource verification exercise.

The delegation was led by Owolabi University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr Samuel Adedotun, and included its Director of Academic Planning, Professor James Agbolade, and Bursar, Festus Oladokun.

The resource verification exercise is an important regulatory requirement through which the NUC assesses whether a new university has adequate academic staff, facilities, infrastructure and other resources to deliver approved programmes.

The appointment of FUNAAB as mentor is expected to support the new institution in meeting academic and administrative standards as it prepares to commence operations.

Owolabi University is among the private institutions recently added to Nigeria’s expanding university system, providing another option for prospective students seeking university education.

The institution’s commencement of academic activities will be subject to the necessary regulatory requirements, including the NUC’s resource verification process.