Nigeria’s private university sector has recorded another milestone following the Federal Government’s approval of High-Flyers University, Ikere-Ekiti, which has received a provisional licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to begin academic operations in Ekiti State.
The approval, formally presented in Abuja on Friday, marks the institution’s official entry into Nigeria’s growing higher education system after successfully meeting the regulatory conditions stipulated by the NUC for the establishment of a conventional private university.
The provisional licence was handed over by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, to the university’s proprietor, Dr Busayo Ajayi. The licence certificate, dated June 29, 2026, bears the signatures of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the NUC Executive Secretary, signifying the Federal Government’s authorisation for the institution to commence academic activities.
The establishment of High-Flyers University comes at a time when demand for university education continues to outpace the admission capacity of existing tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Every year, hundreds of thousands of qualified candidates are unable to secure admission despite meeting the requirements for university education, prompting continued investment in both public and private higher education.
According to details released by the National Universities Commission, the new university will commence operations with three academic faculties, comprising 11 departments and 15 undergraduate degree programmes, designed to meet current workforce demands in healthcare, science, technology, computing, management and security studies.
One of the institution’s flagship colleges will be the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, which will train future healthcare professionals through degree programmes in Nursing Science, Public Health, Physiotherapy and Medical Laboratory Science. The inclusion of these programmes reflects Nigeria’s increasing need for skilled healthcare personnel amid growing demand for quality medical services.
Technology and scientific innovation also feature prominently in the university’s academic blueprint. Under the Faculty of Science and Computing, students will have opportunities to study Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Physics with Electronics, Science Laboratory Technology and Microbiology. The proposed programmes are expected to support national efforts to strengthen digital innovation, scientific research and technological advancement.
The institution will equally establish a Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, offering undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Criminology and Security Studies, as well as International Relations. These programmes are intended to prepare graduates for careers in business, governance, finance, diplomacy and national security.
Speaking after receiving the licence, the proprietor, Dr Busayo Ajayi, described the approval as a significant milestone for the institution and expressed appreciation to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating policies that support investment in higher education.
He noted that the university intends to attract accomplished academics and researchers from within and outside Nigeria, with the goal of building an institution recognised for academic excellence, impactful research and innovation.
Ajayi further stated that the university’s long-term vision is to produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, practical skills and global competencies required to compete in an increasingly interconnected world. He added that the institution would place strong emphasis on research, innovation and community engagement as part of its contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The approval of High-Flyers University adds to the expanding list of private universities licensed by the Federal Government in recent years. Education experts have observed that private universities continue to play an important role in complementing public institutions by increasing access to higher education, introducing specialised academic programmes and encouraging healthy competition within the university system.
However, they also emphasise that the continued growth of the private university sector must be matched by strict regulatory oversight to ensure that newly established institutions maintain high academic standards, adequate infrastructure, qualified teaching staff and robust quality assurance mechanisms.
For prospective students in Ekiti State and neighbouring states, the commencement of High-Flyers University is expected to provide additional opportunities for university admission, particularly in disciplines linked to healthcare, computing and management, which remain among the most sought-after courses in Nigeria.
As preparations begin for the university’s inaugural academic session, attention will now turn to the institution’s readiness to translate its vision into practice through quality teaching, research excellence and the development of graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national growth and global innovation.
