NUC suspends Private University approvals, hikes processing fees

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced a one-year suspension on the approval of licences for new private universities in Nigeria.

This moratorium, effective from Monday, February 10, 2025, is part of efforts to restructure and enhance private university education in the country.

In a statement titled “Moratorium on the Establishment of New Private Universities in Nigeria,” the commission also increased the processing fee for private university establishment from N5 million to N25 million. Additionally, the cost of purchasing an application form has been raised from N1 million to N5 million.

The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, explained that the commission is working to reposition private universities to meet modern educational challenges. He noted that a review of the guidelines for establishing private universities is ongoing to ensure new institutions can effectively address 21st-century demands.

Furthermore, the commission has suspended applications that have remained inactive for more than two years, including those from private open universities that have failed to make progress. Applications that are only at the stage of Letter of Intent submission will no longer be processed.

The revised processing fee of N25 million applies to applicants who have already purchased application forms. These applicants must make payments within 30 working days or risk forfeiting their pending applications.

Professor Ribadu assured that while new applications are on hold, active applications will continue to be processed and recommended to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. He also stated that further updates on the reviewed guidelines will be communicated to stakeholders in due course.

“The Commission hereby suspends further processing of all inactive applications including those of private open universities (i.e. those that have not made progress on their applications or made submissions to the Commission for upwards of two years).

“Applications at the stage of submission of Letters of Intent only. The fee for purchase of application forms for the establishment of a private university is hereby reviewed from One Million (N1,000,000.00) Naira to (Five Million (N5,000,000.00) Naira;

“The Processing Fee for Application for the Establishment of a Private University is hereby reviewed from Five Million (N5,000,000.00) Naira to Twenty-Five Million (N25,000,000.00) Naira;

“The NUC will convey the reviewed Processing Fee of Twenty-Five Million (¥25,000,000.00) Naira to applicants that have purchased Application Forms only. They are also expected to effect payments within a period of thirty (30) working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications,” he added.