NUC places embargo on new private universities, to review guidelines

The National Universities Commission has suspended the establishment of new private universities in Nigeria for a period of one year, effective Monday, February 10, 2025.

The Commission also announced plans to review the processes and guidelines for establishing private universities in Nigeria to ensure that newly licensed institutions are well-positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, who announced the development in statement on Monday in Abuja, said the decision follows a directive from the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, to suspend further processing of all inactive applications, including those for private open universities.

Mr. Ribadu disclosed that the fee for purchasing application forms for the establishment of a private university has been increased from N1,000,000.00 to N5,000,000.00.

The minister said the processing fee for the application to establish a private university has also been raised from N5,000,000.00 to N25,000,000.00.

The statement reads in part: “Pursuant to the above and in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission hereby informs promoters of proposed private universities and the general public as follows:

“The Commission hereby suspends further processing of:
a. All inactive applications, including those for private open universities (i.e., applications that have not progressed or made submissions to the Commission for over two years).
b. Applications at the stage of submission of Letters of Intent only.”

“The fee for purchasing application forms for the establishment of a private university is hereby increased from One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) to Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00).

“The processing fee for the application to establish a private university is hereby increased from Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) to Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00).

“The NUC will communicate the reviewed processing fee of Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000.00) to applicants who have already purchased application forms. These applicants are expected to complete payment within thirty (30) working days or risk forfeiting their pending applications.

“The Commission hereby imposes a one-year moratorium, effective Monday, February 10, 2025, on:
a. Inactive applications for the establishment of new private universities to allow for a comprehensive review of pending applications and determine their viability.
b. Applications at Step 1 of the 14-step procedure (i.e., those that have submitted only Letters of Intent).
c. The acceptance of fresh applications for the establishment of private universities, including private open universities.”

“The Commission is in the process of reviewing other aspects of the guidelines for the establishment of private universities in Nigeria to ensure that proposed institutions, when licensed, are adequately positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“Details of this review will be communicated to stakeholders in due course. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission will continue processing pending active applications and making appropriate recommendations to the Federal Executive Council for approval.”