Headline

FULL LIST: 107 Private Varsities To Be Investigated By FG’s Panel

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to look into the activities of private and foreign universities operating in the country.

The committee has, as some of its members, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede; the Minister of Youths, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar among others.

One of the committee’s terms of reference stated that private universities established in the last 15 years be investigated.

“Without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the NUC, examine whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in the place prescribed facilities, appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, requisite staff (nature of staff-full time, contract, adjunct, visiting, other types),” the term of reference read.

Already, Nigeria has a total of 147 private universities as listed on the website of the NUC.

Analysis of the dates of establishments revealed that 107 private universities were established in the last 15 years.

In this piece, PUNCH online highlights the private universities established in the last 15 years that may fall under the searchlight of the FG’s investigative panel.

They are;

1. Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State

2. Baze University, FCT Abuja

3. Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State

4. Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University), Ogwa, Edo State

5. McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ajebo, Ogun State

6. Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State

7. Southwestern University, Oku Owa, Ogun State

8. Evangel University, Ebonyi State

9. Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State

10. Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State

11. Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State

12. Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State
13. Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State

14. Kings University Ode-Omu, Osun State

15. Michael & Cecilia Ibru University, Owhode, Delta State

16. Mountain Top University, Makogi/Oba, Ogun State

17. Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwalbom State

18. Summit University, Offa, Kwara State

19. Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State

20. Hezekiah University, Umudi, Imo State

21. Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos State

22. Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State

23. Clifford University, Abia State

24. Coal City University, Enugu state

25. Ojaja University, Ilorin, Kwara state

26. Dominican University, Ibadan, Oyo State
27. Kola Daisi University., Ibadan, Oyo State

28. Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State

29. Spiritan University, Neochi, Abia State

30. Precious Cornerstone, Ibadan, Oyo State

31. PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State

32. Atiba University, Oyo, Oyo State

33. Eko University of Medical Sciences, Ijanikin, Lagos

34. Skyline University, Nigeria, Kano, Kano State

35. Greenfield University, Kasarami-Kaduna, Kaduna State

36. Dominion University, Ibadan, Oyo State

37. Trinity University, Laloko, Ogun State

38. Westland University, Iwo, Osun State

39. Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa-Ibom State

40. Thomas Adewumi University, Oko-Irese, Kwara State

41. Maranatha University, Lekki, Lagos State

42. Ave-Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State

43.AL-Istigama University, Sumaila, Kano State

44. Mudiame University, Irrua, Edo State

45. Havilla University, Nde-Ikom, Cross River State

46. Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Imo State

47. Karl-Kumm University, Vom, Plateau State

48. Nok University, Kachia, Kaduna State

49. James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos state

50. Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano, Kano State

51. Capital City University, Kano, Kano State

52. Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, Kwara State

53. University of Offa, Offa, Kwara State

54. Mewar University, Masaka, Nasarawa State

55. Edusoko University, Bida, Niger State

56. Philomath University, Kuje, Abuja

57. Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State

58. ANAN University, Kwall, Plateau State

59. Pen Resource University, Gombe, Gombe State

60.Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno

61. Margaret Lawrence University, Galilee, Delta State

62. Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano, Kano State

63. Sports University, Idumuje, Ugboko, Delta State

64. Baba-Ahmed University, Kano, Kano State

65. Salsa University Of Medical Sciences and Technology, Sokoto, Sokoto State

66. Nigerian British University, Asa, Abia State

67. Peter University, Achina-Onneh, Anambra State

68. Newgate University, Minna, Niger State

69. European University of Nigeria, Abuja, FCT

70. Northwest University, Sokoto, Sokoto State

71. Rayhaan University, Kebbi State

72. Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin, Kwara State

73. Sam Maris University, Supare, Ondo State

74. Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

75. Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, Abia State

76. Maduka University, Ekwegbe, Enugu State

77. Peaceland University, Enugu, Enugu State

78. Amadeus University, Amizi, Abia State

79. Vision University, Ikogbo, Ogun State

80. Azman University, Kano, Kano State

81. Huda University, Gusau, Zamfara State

82. Franco British International University, Kaduna, Kaduna State

83. Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja, FCT

84. Miva Open University, Abuja, FCT

85. Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Imope-ljebu, Ogun State

86. British Canadian University, Obudu, Cross River State

87. Hensard University, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State

88.Phoenix University, Agwada, Nasarawa State

89. Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State

90. Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti State

91. University on the Niger, Umunya, Anambra State

92. Elrazi University of Medical Sciences, Kano Kano State

93. Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, Ekiti State

94 Shanahan University, Onitsha, Anambra State

95. Duke Medical University, Calabar, Cross River State

96. Mercy Medical University, Iwara, Iwo, Osun State

97.Cosmopolitan University, Abuja, FCT

98. Iconic Open University, Sokoto, Sokoto State

99. West Midland Open University, Ibadan, Oyo State

100. Amaj University, Abuja, FCT

101. Prime University, Abuja, FCT

102. El-Amin University, Niger State

103. College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, Kaduna State

104. Jewel University, Gombe, Gombe State

105. Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Apapa, Lagos State

106. Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja, FCT

107. Al-Bayan University, Kogi state

Headline

Trump Administration Proposes New Rule Limiting Nigerians, Others

Published

13 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal that would restrict the length of time international students can remain in the United States for their studies.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the regulation, which is expected to be published on Thursday, would impose a four-year cap on student visas and other categories of temporary admissions.

According to Fox News, the DHS said the proposal is part of efforts to curb “visa abuse” and strengthen the government’s ability to “properly vet and oversee these individuals.”

It added that some students have “taken advantage of U.S. generosity” and become “forever” students by staying enrolled in colleges to prolong their residence.

“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson stated.

“This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history,” the spokesperson continued.

Currently, F visa holders may stay in the U.S. for the “duration of status,” meaning the period they are enrolled full-time. The new proposal would allow stays for the length of a programme but would not permit them to exceed four years, generally less than the time needed for postgraduate studies.

Foreign journalists would also be affected. Under the plan, they would receive an initial admission period of 240 days, with the possibility of a single extension for another 240 days, but not longer than their assignment.

The DHS said regular assessments would provide “proper oversight” and help reduce the number of people residing in the U.S. on temporary visas.

But education experts warned the measure could hurt universities financially. International students typically pay higher tuition and have fewer opportunities for scholarships, which contributes significantly to the financial support of American colleges.

“It will certainly act as an additional deterrent to international students choosing to study in the United States, to the detriment of American economies, innovation, and global competitiveness,” Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said in a statement to Politico.

Headline

Russia Hits Ukraine With ‘Massive’ Deadly Overnight Strikes

Published

17 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Russian forces launched a “massive” attack on Kyiv on Thursday, hitting the Ukrainian capital with strikes that killed at least four people and wounded around 30 others, Ukrainian officials said.

The attack came as Moscow and Kyiv traded blame over an impasse in diplomatic efforts towards a peace deal spearheaded by US President Donald Trump.

AFP journalists in Kyiv witnessed powerful explosions that illuminated the night sky and left behind a column of smoke.

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said the strikes killed four people and wounded “about 30 people.”

Those killed included a 14-year-old girl, while five children aged seven to 17 were among those who sustained “injuries of varying severity,” Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city’s military administration, said.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the strikes as a “massive attack” that caused damage in several districts of the capital.

Tkachenko said Moscow had fired ballistic and cruise missiles as well as Iranian-designed Shahed drones from different directions to “systematically” target residential buildings.

Red tracer bullets sailed through the night sky in an effort to intercept drones above the city centre, an AFP journalist saw. At least one missile appeared to be shot down.

Around 100 people took refuge in a subway station, with some lying in sleeping bags and others holding their pets.

A five-story building in the Darnytsky district had collapsed, and a shopping mall was hit in the city centre, Klitschko reported.

– Ukrainian attacks on Russia –
Kyiv suffered one of its worst attacks of the over three-year war on July 31, leaving more than 30 people dead including five children.

Ukrainian officials also reported a Russian strike in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Thursday.

Russian authorities said they destroyed over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight. A Ukrainian attack sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region but caused no casualties, according to local officials.

Russian forces have been slowly but steadily gaining ground in Ukraine in recent months, as diplomatic efforts have accelerated.

Trump held a high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this month, followed by a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies.

But there has been little progress since then.

Before concluding any peace agreement, Ukraine wants security guarantees from the West to deter any future Russian attacks.

Moscow has cast Kyiv’s demands as unrealistic and has raised particular objection to the notion of stationing Western peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.

Zelensky said on Wednesday that members of his administration would meet with US officials in New York on Friday.

The Ukrainian leader said he saw “very arrogant and negative signals from Moscow regarding the negotiations”, urging extra “pressure” to “force Russia to take real steps”.

AFP

Headline

Two US Pastors Arrested In $50m Human Trafficking, Fraud Case

Published

18 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Two church leaders in the United States have been arrested in an alleged multi-million-dollar conspiracy after multiple Federal Bureau of Investigation raids across the country on Wednesday, including one in Hillsborough County’s exclusive Avila neighborhood.

In a statement issued via its website on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested at a mansion near Tampa, while David Taylor, 53, was arrested in North Carolina over allegations of multi-million dollar money laundering, forced labour and human trafficking.

According to the DOJ, Taylor and Brannon are the leaders of Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International.

The Justice Department said Taylor referred to himself as “Apostle” and to Brannon as his Executive Director.

FBI officials said law enforcement arrested Brannon early Wednesday at 706 Guisando De Avila in Hillsborough County, which is owned by the church, according to property records.

Investigators arrested Taylor on Wednesday morning in North Carolina, while SWAT and FBI agents also raided a hotel owned by the church in Houston.

A 10-count indictment alleged that Taylor and Brannon ran call centres in Florida, Texas, Missouri, and Michigan to solicit donations to the church.

The pair convinced their victims to work at the call centres and work for Taylor as personal servants – referred to as “armour bearers” – for long hours without pay, according to the indictment.

Federal investigators said Taylor and Brannon “controlled every aspect of the daily living of their victims,” who slept at the call centre or in a “ministry” house and were not allowed to leave without permission.

The indictment also says the suspects forced the victims to transport women to Taylor and ensure that those women took Plan B emergency contraceptives.

The church received about $50 million in donations through its call centres dating back to 2014, according to the DOJ.

Taylor and Brannon are accused of using much of that money to buy luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as boats, jet skis, and ATVs.

Taylor and Brannon face charges of forced labour, conspiracy to commit forced labour, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Each alleged crime carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan returned a 10-count indictment against two defendants for their alleged roles in a forced labour and money laundering conspiracy that victimised individuals in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the two defendants were arrested in North Carolina and Florida in a nationwide takedown of their forced labour organistion.

“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice.

“We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims,” he said.

Also speaking, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan, said, “We will use every lawful tool against human traffickers and seek justice for their victims.

“A case like this is only possible through a concerted effort with our federal partners across the country and the non-governmental agencies who provide victim support. We thank them all.”

“The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon demonstrates the FBI’s steadfast efforts to protect the American people from human exploitation and financial crimes, including forced labour and money laundering.

“The alleged actions are deeply troubling. I want to thank the members of the FBI Detroit Field Office, with strong support from our federal and agency partners in the FBI Tampa Field Office, FBI Jacksonville Field Office, FBI St. Louis Field Office, FBI Charlotte Field Office, FBI Houston Field Office, and the Detroit IRS-CI Field Office, in addition to several local, county and state law enforcement partners, for their role in executing this multi-state operation.

“The FBI in Michigan will continue to investigate those who violate federal law and remain focused on ensuring the protection and safety of our nation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry.

“IRS-CI stands committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, and pursuing those who hide their profits gained from the extreme victimization of the vulnerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office.

According to the DOJ, conspiracy to commit forced labour carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000, while forced labour carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.

It noted that conspiracy to commit money laundering carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $500,000 or twice the value of the properties involved in the money laundering transactions.

It was gathered that Brannon appeared in federal court in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon, but an attorney for Brannon wasn’t present.

A judge asked where her attorney was and whether she had representation.

Brannon told the judge that she had two private attorneys, out of St. Louis and Oklahoma, who were already working with them. However, she said she hadn’t heard from either of them.

The judge said the attorneys were not able to be reached through the phone numbers provided to federal prosecutors. It’s not clear if Brannon has legal representation at this point.

The judge continued Brannon’s hearing to Thursday afternoon. He instructed Brannon to find an attorney in the Tampa area in the meantime.