NUC catapults private varsity application fee to N30m

The National Universities Commission, NUC, has increased the application fee for establishing private universities in Nigeria by over 400%.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, explaining that the fee hike is aimed at better coordination and ensuring that newly established private universities are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Media Talk Africa reports that the NUC has raised the fee for purchasing application forms for the establishment of a private university from N1 million to N5 million.

Additionally, the Commission increased the processing fee for applications from N5 million to N25 million.

According to the regulatory body, the reviewed N25 million fee will be communicated to applicants who have purchased the application form at the previous rate of N1 million but are yet to pay the processing fee.

“They are also expected to effect payments within a period of 30 working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications,” the statement read.

Media Talk Africa further reports that the NUC revealed that, since 1999, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of 149 private universities based on its recommendations.