The Federal Government has significantly increased the processing fees for establishing new private universities in Nigeria, raising the amount from N5 million to N25 million. This was announced in a memo issued on Monday by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu.
The NUC stated that the decision was part of its broader efforts to enhance private university education in the country and ensure better coordination within the Nigerian University System. The Commission also emphasized the need to review guidelines for the establishment of private universities to align with contemporary educational demands.
“This is to ensure that newly established private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” the memo read. “Pursuant to the above and in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission hereby informs Promoters of proposed Private Universities in particular and the general public as follows:
“The Commission hereby suspends further processing of all inactive applications, including those of private open universities that have not progressed or made submissions to the Commission for over two years, as well as applications at the stage of submission of Letters of Intent only.”
Furthermore, the fee for purchasing application forms for the establishment of private universities has been raised from N1 million to N5 million. Applicants who have already purchased application forms will be required to pay the new processing fee of N25 million within 30 working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications.
The NUC noted that these adjustments are necessary to ensure that private universities in Nigeria are well-equipped to deliver quality education and operate effectively within the nation’s academic framework.
