The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted an operational licence to City University Abuja, clearing the institution to commence academic activities and admit its pioneer postgraduate students for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The license was presented to the institution’s promoters on Friday, 24th July 2026, in Abuja, officially changing its status from a proposed university to a fully licensed private postgraduate university.

Presenting the licence, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, described the approval as a significant milestone, noting that the institution had successfully met all regulatory requirements for establishing a private postgraduate university in Nigeria. 

“Today marks the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new era. You have crossed all the hurdles. The university is now approved and no longer proposed,” Ribadu said. 

He explained that City University Abuja had been approved to commence operations with its initial academic programmes and urged the management to remain committed to the Commission’s quality assurance standards, academic excellence and regulatory guidelines. 

The Executive Secretary also announced that the University’s designated mentor institution would provide technical guidance and institutional support to ensure the successful take-off and sustainable growth of the university. 

Responding on behalf of the promoters, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, Uzoechina Agu expressed appreciation to the National Universities Commission for what he described as a transparent, rigorous and professional licensing process. 

He assured the Commission that City University Abuja would be guided by the principles of academic excellence, innovation, integrity and accountability while producing graduates equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. 

He further described the operational license as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision to establish a world-class institution committed to quality postgraduate education, research, entrepreneurship and leadership development. 

He stated that the university was fully prepared to commence academic activities immediately, with modern facilities, qualified academic and administrative personnel, and robust student support systems already in place for the admission of its pioneer students during the 2026/2027 academic session. 

He further noted that the university would provide a conducive learning environment driven by technology, innovation and industry relevance, positioning graduates for success in both national and global careers. 

With the approval, City University Abuja joins the growing list of licensed private universities in Nigeria and is set to begin full academic operations in the Federal Capital Territory, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to quality higher education in the country.