The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced a significant increase in application fees for establishing private universities in Nigeria, citing the need for better regulation and alignment with modern educational demands. In a statement on Monday, NUC Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed that the cost of purchasing an application form has been raised from ₦1 million to ₦5 million, while the processing fee has surged from ₦5 million to ₦25 million—a more than 400% increase.
Applicants who previously purchased the form at the old rate but have not yet paid the processing fee must now comply with the new ₦25 million charge within 30 working days, or risk losing their applications. In addition to the fee hike, the NUC has imposed a one-year moratorium on inactive applications and new submissions for private universities, including private open universities, starting February 10, 2025. The suspension applies to applications that have been inactive for over two years and those that have only completed Step 1 of the 14-step approval process.
Ribadu stated that the moratorium would allow the commission to conduct a comprehensive review of pending applications, ensuring that only serious and well-prepared proposals move forward. However, he clarified that active applications already in progress will still be processed, with recommendations forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
The fee hike and moratorium come as part of broader efforts to enhance the quality of private higher education in Nigeria. While stakeholders in the education sector have expressed concerns over the steep financial barrier, the NUC insists that the new measures will improve standards and ensure that new institutions meet the required academic and infrastructural benchmarks before receiving accreditation.