The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced a significant hike in the application fees required to establish private universities in Nigeria, raising costs by over 400%.
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, made this disclosure in a statement on Monday, explaining that the fee adjustment aims to improve the coordination of private university approvals and ensure that new institutions meet the educational and infrastructural demands of the 21st century.
Breakdown of the New Fees
Under the new structure, the cost of obtaining an application form to establish a private university has risen from ₦1 million to ₦5 million. Additionally, the processing fee for applications has been increased from ₦5 million to ₦25 million.
The NUC clarified that applicants who had already purchased the application form at the previous ₦1 million rate but have yet to pay the processing fee will now be required to pay the revised ₦25 million charge. Affected applicants have 30 working days to make the payment; failure to comply within this timeframe will result in the forfeiture of their applications.
Justification for the Fee Hike
According to the NUC, the decision to increase the fees aligns with efforts to ensure that new private universities are well-prepared to deliver quality education and meet global academic standards. The regulatory body stressed that higher education institutions must be adequately equipped to address contemporary challenges and provide students with a competitive learning environment.
Growth of Private Universities in Nigeria
Since 1999, the Federal Government, based on NUC recommendations, has approved the establishment of 149 private universities across the country. The increasing demand for private tertiary education has led to a surge in applications, prompting the commission to refine its regulatory framework.
The latest fee adjustment has sparked discussions among stakeholders in the education sector, with some expressing concerns about affordability and accessibility, while others believe the move will help maintain higher academic standards for private institutions.
