The National Universities Commission (NUC) has increased the processing fee for establishing private universities in Nigeria by 400%, from N5 to N25m.
Pointing out that this is part of efforts to reposition private varsities to better serve the public’s needs, the increased fee covers administrative costs, evaluation efforts, and other regulatory procedures required to obtain operational approval.
In addition to the increased processing fee, the cost of purchasing application forms for establishing a private university has also been raised from N1m to N5m.
Applicants who have already purchased forms are required to pay the revised processing fee within 30 working days or risk forfeiting their applications.
The NUC has also suspended the processing of inactive applications, including those for private open universities that have not made progress in over two years.
This move aims to enhance the coordination of Nigeria’s private university education sub-sector and ensure that only standard universities are established.
However, stakeholders have expressed concerns that the increased fees could cut competition, drive up tuition costs, and limit options for students in regions where private universities provide an alternative to overcrowded public institutions.
To establish a private university in Nigeria, applicants must follow a series of steps, including submitting an application, undergoing an interview, and paying the required fees.
The NUC will review the application and conduct verification visits to ensure that the proposed university meets the required standards.
