The Federal Government has granted Iconic Open University a Full Statutory Licence, elevating the Sokoto-based institution to the status of a fully fledged private university authorised to award degrees under Nigerian law.
The licence was issued on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC). It was signed under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.
The approval marks the successful end of the university’s three-year probationary period, which began with its provisional licence in 2023.
It followed a rigorous licence validation assessment conducted by the NUC in May 2026. Officials examined the institution’s academic systems, programmes, faculty strength, governance structures, physical and digital infrastructure, quality assurance mechanisms and overall institutional capacity.
In a statement, the university’s management described the development as a defining moment. “This milestone formally establishes Iconic Open University as a fully licensed private university in Nigeria, authorised to continue providing university education and awarding degrees in accordance with applicable Nigerian laws, regulations and requirements,” the statement said.
Iconic Open University operates as a private open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) institution.
Headquartered in Sokoto, it maintains operational presence in Abuja (Dutse Alhaji Interchange, Kubwa Expressway) and Lagos (No. 77 Lewis Street, Lagos Island), with examination and study centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Its model allows students to study flexibly without the requirement of a JAMB/UTME score for bachelor’s degree admission, though successful candidates later regularise with JAMB for NYSC purposes.
Holders of HND, ND or NCE may gain direct entry into 200 or 300 level.
The university is listed among the five approved open universities in the Nigerian University System, alongside the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Miva Open University, West Midland Open University and Al-Muhibbah Open University. It offers a range of NUC-approved undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in fields including nursing science, public health, health information management, computer and information technology, software engineering, business administration, accounting, public administration, criminology and security studies, international relations, educational management and various master’s degrees such as MBA, MPA, MPH and MIT.
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Management expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the NUC, staff, students, partners and other stakeholders for their support throughout the probationary phase. The institution said the accelerated transition from provisional to full licence within three years reflects its commitment to regulatory compliance, academic standards, innovation and expanded access to quality higher education.
For further enquiries and admissions, visit www.iconicuniversity.edu.ng or contact +234 814 282 9382.d30d09,b2c86b,6bb40c
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