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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced a one-year suspension on the approval of new private universities, effective from Monday, February 10, 2025. During this period, the NUC will not process applications for new private universities.
In addition to the moratorium, the NUC has significantly increased the fees for establishing private universities. The processing fee has been raised from N5 million to N25 million, while the cost of purchasing application forms has jumped from N1 million to N5 million.
Nigeria currently has 149 private universities approved by the Federal Government through the NUC since 1999. The decision to impose a moratorium and increase fees is part of efforts to regulate the growth of private universities and ensure quality standards in the sector.
The NUC’s move has sparked discussions about the impact on higher education and the accessibility of private university licenses in the country.
