Six months after placing a moratorium on the establishment of new private universities, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has begun reviewing the regulatory framework governing their establishment in Nigeria.
The one-year suspension, announced on February 10, 2025, was intended to halt new applications while the commission reviewed existing guidelines comprehensively.
At the time, the NUC indicated that the review would address emerging realities in university operations and ensure that standards were aligned with national development goals.
To kickstart the process, the executive secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, inaugurated a 13-man committee to undertake the task.
The commission announced this in a publication on its official website.
The team is chaired by Malam Ashafa Ladan, acting director of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (DSDE). Mrs Sarah Suleiman, chief architect in the Directorate of Establishment of Private Universities (DEPU), and an Assistant Chief Finance Officer in the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA) serve as secretary and assistant secretary, amongst other positions.
While inaugurating the committee, Professor Ribadu emphasised the importance of the assignment, describing it as critical to positioning private universities to meet societal needs.
He urged members to consult widely both within and outside the commission to enrich their deliberations, reminding them that “no man is an island.”
He also outlined the committee’s Terms of Reference, which include reviewing all existing guidelines, requirements, and procedures for establishing private universities, including physical facilities assessment templates and provisions on guaranteed financial support.
The task also covers developing clear guidelines for the commencement of academic activities, setting rules on the transfer or sale of licences, and reviewing policies regarding the location or relocation of private universities.
It is mandated that recommendations be made for automating the application process and updating the code of governance for private universities in accordance with relevant laws and best practices in the Nigerian University System.
The committee is expected to conclude its work and submit its report in hard and soft copies to the executive secretary no later than Tuesday, August 29, 2025. The NUC has assured that once the review is completed, stakeholders will be duly informed of the new regulatory framework before the moratorium lapses in February 2026.
The NUC said, “This initiative reflects the commission’s commitment to enhance the quality and operational framework of private universities in Nigeria and keep them on their toes in providing quality university education to their entrants.”
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