NUC hikes private university establishment fee by 400%

The federal government has increased the “processing fee” for establishing private universities from N5 million to N25 million.

The National Universities Commission (NUC), in a memo released to the press, said the decision is part of efforts to reposition private universities to better serve the needs of the public.

The NUC said the increase followed a directive from Tunji Alausa, the minister of education.

The processing fee is the amount that individuals or organisations must pay the NUC to process their application for establishing a private university in Nigeria.

This fee covers administrative costs, evaluation efforts, and other regulatory procedures required to obtain operational approval.

In its memo, the NUC said the 400 per cent increase would enhance the coordination of Nigeria’s private university education sub-sector.

It noted the necessity of reviewing guidelines for establishing private universities to ensure they can meet contemporary challenges.

As part of the directive, the commission has suspended the processing of inactive applications, including those for private open universities that have not made progress in over two years.

Applications that are only at the stage of submission of letters of intent, it noted, will also be affected.

In addition to the increase in processing fees, the fee for purchasing application forms for the establishment of a private university has been raised from N1 million to N5 million.

The NUC directed applicants who have already purchased forms to pay the revised processing fee within 30 working days or risk forfeiting their applications.

NUC database, as of February 2025, showed Nigeria has at least 149 active private universities, 63 federal, and 63 state.

While the hike potentially ensures only standard universities are established, stakeholders fear it could cut competition, relatively drive up tuition costs, and limit options for students in regions where privates provide an alternative to overcrowded public institutions.