Iconic Open University has announced that it has received a Full Statutory Licence from the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission, NUC, formally transitioning the institution from provisional to full university licensing status.
The university said the licence was issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following the successful completion of its probationary period, which began after its initial licensing in 2023.
According to the institution, the approval followed a licence validation assessment conducted by the NUC in May 2026.
During the assessment, the university said its academic systems, programmes, faculty, governance structures, infrastructure, quality assurance mechanisms and overall institutional capacity were subjected to regulatory review.
The institution said the successful outcome of the assessment paved the way for its transition from a Provisional Licence to a Full Statutory Licence.
“This makes the University a full-fledged private university in Nigeria,” the institution said in a statement announcing the development.
The university said the new status reflected the satisfaction of the Federal Government and regulatory authorities with its institutional development, academic standards, governance systems, quality assurance processes and approach to expanding access to higher education.
The Full Statutory Licence was issued through the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, respectively.
With the licence, Iconic Open University said it is authorised to continue providing university education and awarding degrees in accordance with applicable Nigerian laws, regulations and regulatory requirements.
The institution described the development as a significant milestone in its institutional history, noting that it attained full licensing three years after receiving its initial licence in 2023.
It said the progression demonstrated its focus on regulatory compliance, academic quality, institutional development, innovation and the expansion of access to higher education.
The university management expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the NUC, students, faculty members, staff, partners and other stakeholders who contributed to the institution’s development since its establishment.
The university said prospective students and other members of the public seeking information about its programmes and admissions can access its official website or contact its designated admission and enquiry channels.
