The Federal Government has increased the application fees for establishing private universities in Nigeria from N5 million to N25 million.
This is according to a memo issued by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, on Monday.
The NUC stated that the decision aligns with efforts to improve the quality and coordination of private university education in the country.
The Commission also announced a review of guidelines for establishing private universities to ensure they are well-positioned to meet modern educational challenges.
“This is to ensure that newly established private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” the memo stated.
“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.”
As part of the new regulations, the NUC suspended inactive applications, including those from private open universities that have not progressed in the past two years.
Additionally, applications at the Letter of Intent submission stage have also been put on hold.
The Commission further announced an upward review of the fee for purchasing application forms, raising it from N1 million to N5 million.
It emphasized that only applicants who have already purchased forms will be required to pay the new processing fee of N25 million, with a 30-working-day deadline to complete the payment 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,” the memo read.
“They are also expected to effect payments within a period of thirty (30) working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications.”
The fee hike has sparked reactions from education stakeholders, with concerns that the new cost may discourage investment in private universities and limit access to quality higher education.
However, the NUC maintains that the move is aimed at strengthening private university education and ensuring that new institutions meet global standards.
