The federal government has raised the fees for purchasing and processing application forms for new private universities to a total of N30 million, according to the National Universities Commission (NUC).
This includes a N5 million fee for the application form and a N25 million processing fee. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday.
In addition to the fee increase, the NUC imposed a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities in Nigeria. The Commission stated that it would suspend all inactive applications, including those from private open universities, for one year.
The statement signed by NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, explained that the one-year moratorium affects applicants that have not made progress on their applications or made submissions to the Commission for upwards of two years.
The NUC boss said the review of the application fee and other guidelines for establishment of private universities was in line with the provisions of the Education, National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions, Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He further revealed that the application fee for the establishment of private universities had been raised from N1 million to N5 million, while the processing fee increased from N5 million to N25 million.
Applicants who have already purchased the application forms are required to pay the reviewed processing fee of N25 million within 30 working days or risk forfeiting their applications.
“The NUC will convey the reviewed Processing Fee of Twenty-Five Million (N25,000,000.00) 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,” the statement read.
Prof. Ribadu explained that the move is part of the NUC’s efforts to reposition private universities in Nigeria to better meet the needs of the citizens and improve coordination within the Nigerian University System (NUS).
He stated, “This is to ensure that newly established private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.”
He therefore informed promoters of proposed Private Universities in particular and the general public that the suspension affects applications at the stage of submission of letters of Intent only.
“The Commission hereby imposes a Moratorium for a period of one year with effect from Monday, 10th February, 2025 on:
“Inactive applications for the establishment of new private universities to enable the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of such pending applications with a view to determining their viability;
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“Applications on Step 1 of the 14-Step Procedure (i.e. those that have submitted Letters of Intent only), and
“Acceptance of fresh applications for the establishment of private universities, including private open universities,” he said.
The NUC boss further announced that the Commission is in the process of reviewing other aspects of the Guidelines for the Establishment of Private University in Nigeria to ensure that the proposed Universities, when licensed, are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21 Century.
“Details of the review would be communicated to Stakeholders in due course. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission will continue to process pending active. applications and make appropriate recommendations to the Federal Executive Council for approval,” he said.
