FG increases Private University application fee to ₦25m

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

The Federal Government has raised the application fee for establishing new private universities in Nigeria to ₦25 million, marking a significant increase from the previous ₦5 million.

This adjustment was announced in a memo issued this week by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu.

Rationale Behind the Fee Hike

According to the NUC, the fee adjustment is part of broader efforts to reposition private universities to better serve national education needs and improve regulatory oversight. The commission emphasized the importance of updating guidelines for establishing private institutions to ensure they meet 21st-century educational standards.

“This is to ensure that newly established private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” the memo stated.

Suspension of Inactive Applications

In addition to the fee revision, the NUC announced the suspension of inactive applications, including proposals for private open universities that have remained stagnant for over two years. Applications that are still at the letter of intent submission stage have also been suspended.

Breakdown of Revised Fees
The updated fees for processing private university applications are as follows:
• Application form purchase fee: Increased from ₦1 million to ₦5 million.
• Processing fee: Raised from ₦5 million to ₦25 million.

Compliance Deadline for Existing Applicants

The NUC has directed that applicants who have already purchased application forms will be formally notified of the revised fee structure. They will be required to make the necessary payments within 30 working days to avoid forfeiting their applications.

This move is expected to enhance the quality and sustainability of private university education in Nigeria while ensuring stricter compliance with regulatory standards.