The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted recognition to the new Ebonyi State University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering located in Ezza.

The provisional license brings the total number of state universities in Ebonyi to three.

The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, presented the provisional license to a state delegation led by Deputy Governor Patricia Obila in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking during the presentation, Ribadu stated that the new university was the 69th state university and 300th university in Nigeria.

He emphasised adherence to NUC guidelines to avoid sanctions.

The executive secretary said that a copy of the license will be sent to relevant bodies like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), National Youth Service Corps and Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for recognition.

He further emphasised the importance of adhering to established guidelines as regards university operations in Nigeria, suggesting that the Commission be contacted for proper guidance to avoid sanctions.

“This is not just about adding to the number of universities, but about creating a world-class institution that will drive research, innovation, and industry collaboration in the aerospace sector,” Ribadu said.

He said that the newly licensed university would focus on aeronautics and aerospace engineering, addressing Nigeria’s growing need for homegrown expertise in aviation and related technologies.

He urged the new university to align with the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), covering aerospace, automotive, mechatronics, and 26 related fields.

“We expect that it (the university) will adhere strictly to the guidelines set forth for country assurance, curriculum development, and the overall management of academic programmes.

“As we celebrate this achievement, I urge all stakeholders, government officials, university administrators, faculty members, and students to work collaboratively to ensure that the institution thrives and upholds the highest standards of academic integrity.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this university does not only add to the number of institutions in the country, but stands out as a beacon of learning, character development, and societal transformations,” Ribadu said.

Responding, the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, said the new university will drive job creation, skill development, and national competitiveness in engineering and aviation.

Represented by Patricia Obila, the Deputy Governor, Nwifuru, said the university seeks to diversify its economy and build capacity in emerging technologies, setting the stage for innovation, inclusion, and international relevance.

“The certificate is given to us because we have been tested, we have gone through all the hurdles, and at the end of the day, we passed everything.

“And that is why this certificate is given to us to move forward through the university and make sure that we contribute our own quota in education,” he said.

The governor noted that education is a core priority of his administration and he is ready to give the best education the indigenous require for uplift.

“As we all know, our government is a friendly government, when it comes to education, it doesn’t play with it.

“Through our People’s Charter of Needs, we have sent a lot of people abroad to learn one trade or the other. Not just abroad, within the federation.

“We are doing this to make sure that we ameliorate the suffering of our people through education.

“We are ready, we will not only sustain this legacy, we will lead with it,” he said.