The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the establishment of 20 new private universities in Nigeria.

The FEC, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, gave the approval after a presentation by the Ministry of Education.

The schools will be given provisional licenses to run for three years, while the ministry monitors their growth.

They are Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State; Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State; Maranathan University, Mgbidi, Imo State; Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State, and Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State.

Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State; Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State; Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State; NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State.

James Hope University, Lagos, Lagos State; Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano State; Capital City University, Kano State; Ahman Pategi University, Kwara State, and University of Offa, Kwara State.

The rest are Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State; Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State; Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja; Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State, and Anan University, Kwall, Plateau State.

Nine are located in North-Central, three in South-South, two in South-East, five in North-West and one in South-West.

The total number of private universities in Nigeria has risen to 99.