(August 13, 2025)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has officially approved the establishment of Jimoh Babalola University, Ilorin, Kwara State, following the recommendation of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The approval was granted during a landmark meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at the State House in Abuja, after the institution successfully satisfied the Federal Government’s revised and rigorous standards for academic infrastructure, governance structure, staffing, and programme development.
According to data published by TheCable, the NUC approved 33 new universities across Nigeria in 2025, bringing the total number of universities in the country to 309. Of this number, 20 are private universities, seven were established by the Federal Government, while state governments accounted for six.
Jimoh Babalola University is listed among the newly licensed private universities for 2025, reinforcing Kwara State’s growing reputation as an emerging hub for higher education. The private sector continues to lead Nigeria’s university landscape with 168 institutions, compared to 74 federal and 67 state universities nationwide.
In January 2026, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed that more than 879 new academic programmes were introduced across Nigerian universities in 2025 under the newly approved Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). He noted that the framework is designed to transform the Nigerian University System by producing globally competitive graduates, integrating 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving into academic curricula.
The establishment of Jimoh Babalola University aligns with this national reform agenda and reflects a commitment to delivering quality education in accordance with regulatory benchmarks.
The University is the vision of Alhaji Jimoh Babalola, a distinguished entrepreneur and Founder of Babalola Academy College of Health Technology (BACHT). Stakeholders have described the approval as a significant milestone for youth empowerment and educational advancement in the North-Central region.
Beyond academics, the institution is projected to stimulate the local economy of Ilorin through job creation, infrastructure development, and increased socio-economic activities.
With its official approval and licensing, Jimoh Babalola University joins the growing network of accredited institutions committed to advancing Nigeria’s higher education standards and expanding access to quality university education.