The NUC has increased private university application fees from ₦6 million to ₦30 million, citing the need for better coordination. Inactive applications face suspension, while pending applications must comply within 30 days. The move aims to ensure private universities meet modern educational standards and operational requirements.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has significantly raised the cost of establishing private universities in Nigeria, increasing the application fee from ₦6 million to ₦30 million. Executive Secretary Abdullahi Ribadu said the adjustment aims to improve coordination and ensure institutions meet modern educational standards.
The revised fee structure includes a hike in the purchase price of application forms from ₦1 million to ₦5 million and a processing fee increase from ₦5 million to ₦25 million. Institutions that previously paid the old rate but have yet to complete processing must do so within 30 working days or risk forfeiture.
Additionally, the NUC has placed a one-year moratorium on inactive applications, including those from private open universities. This suspension will allow the commission to review pending applications and assess their viability. Applications that have not progressed for over two years will also be discontinued.
The decision comes as part of broader efforts to streamline private university approvals, ensuring new institutions meet high academic and operational standards. Since 1999, the Federal Government has approved 149 private universities based on NUC recommendations.
