In a statement released on Monday, the commission's Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, explained that this increase aims to enhance coordination and ensure that newly established private universities are equipped to address the challenges of the 21st century.
The fee for purchasing application forms for the establishment of a private university has risen from N1 million to N5 million.
Additionally, the processing fee for the application has been raised from N5 million to N25 million.
The NUC indicated that the revised N25 million fee will be communicated to applicants who have already purchased the application form at the previous rate of N1 million but have not yet submitted 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.
Furthermore, the Commission has ceased processing all inactive applications, including those from private open universities that have remained stagnant or unresponsive for over two years.
“The Commission hereby imposes a Moratorium for a period of one year with effect from Monday, 10th February, 2025 on:
“Inactive applications for the establishment of new private universities to enable the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of such pending applications with a view to determining their viability;
“Applications on Step 1 of the 14-Step Procedure (i.e. those that have submitted Letters of Intent only), and
“Acceptance of fresh applications for the establishment of private universities, including private open universities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission will continue to process pending active. applications and make appropriate recommendations to the Federal Executive Council for approval.”
Since 1999, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has recommended the establishment of 149 private universities, all of which have subsequently received Federal Government approval.