NUC Increases Private University Application Fee from ₦6m to ₦30m

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has increased the application fee for establishing private universities in Nigeria by over 400%.

In a statement released on Monday, February 10, the commission’s Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, said the price hike aims to enhance coordination and ensure new private universities are equipped to meet 21st-century challenges.

The cost of purchasing application forms for establishing a private university has risen from N1 million to N5 million, while the processing fee has jumped from N5 million to N25 million.

The NUC stated that the revised N25 million fee would be communicated to applicants who previously purchased the form at the old rate of N1 million but have not yet paid the processing fee.

“They are also expected to effect payments within a period of 30 working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications,” the statement read.

The Commission has also suspended the processing of all inactive applications, including those from private open universities that have not made progress or submitted any updates to the NUC for over two years.

“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;

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.

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.”

The NUC stated that since 1999, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of 149 private universities following its recommendations.