NUC Revised Guidelines and Criteria on the Establishment Of Private Universities In Nigeria

NUC Revised Guidelines and Criteria on the Establishment Of Private Universities In Nigeria.

In the Press Release titled Moratorium on Establishment of Private Universities in Nigeria issued on 10^th February, 2025, the Commission announced the commencement of the review of the Guidelines for the Establishment of Private Universities in Nigeria to ensure that licensed private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21^st Century, details of which would be communicated to Stakeholders in due course.

In pursuance of the above and on the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC) hereby conveys to all applicants with pending applications to establish private universities in Nigeria and the general public the following reviewed Guidelines on the Establishment of Private Universities in Nigeria:

1. Deadline for Payment of Processing Fee:

a) Proprietors of all Pending Active Applications for establishment of private universities in Nigeria yet to undergo NUC Management Approval and onward transmission to Honourable Minister of Education are required to pay the non-refundable reviewed Processing Fee of ₦25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million Naira) within 30-working days from the date of this Advertorial, failing which their Applications shall lapse.

b) Applicants that paid the old Processing Fee of ₦5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) are now required to pay the balance of non-refundable fee of ₦20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) within the specified time frame or face the same fate as in 1 (a) above.

2. Timelines within which to Request for Verification Visits:

i) Upon confirmation of payment of Processing Fee:

a) Proprietors of Pending Active Applications awaiting First Verification Visit have 90 days from the date of payment to formerly request for the First Verification Visit, failing which their Applications shall lapse.

b) Proprietors of Pending Active Applications awaiting Second Verification Visit have 180 days from the date of the First Verification Visit or the date of payment of balance of Processing Fee within which to request for the Second Verification Visit, failing which the Applications shall lapse.

ii) Confirmation Visit: Proprietors of Applications that fail 2^nd Verification Visit shall pay an additional non-refundable processing fee of ₦10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) and shall request for Confirmation Visit within 180 days from the date of the 2^nd Verification Visit, failing which the Applications shall lapse.

3. Movement to Permanent Site:

All Licensed Private Universities are required to move to their permanent sites at the end of the first Phase of development (i.e. end of the first 5 years).

4. Prohibition of Satellite Campuses:

Proposed Private Universities are henceforth not allowed to designate multi-campuses across different States in the Federation.

5. Prohibition of Transnational Education without Approval:

Private Universities shall not engage in transnational education without the approval of the National Universities Commission.

6. Need for Prompt Action:

All applicants are advised to act promptly and ensure full compliance with the above Ministerial directives (on revised Guidelines and Timelines) to avoid undue delay and eventual cancellation of their Applications.

For further enquiries, members of the public are advised to contact:

The Ag. Director,Directorate for the Establishment of Private Universities (DEPU),

National Universities Commission,

26, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja.

08036145399

Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, FCVSN

Executive Secretary