Private Varsities’ Suspension And Matters Arising

The government’s suspension of the establishment of private universities in the next one year has raised concerns and debates across the country, sparking discussions about the implications for the future of higher education.

On Tuesday, the National Universities Commission (NUC) officially announced the suspension of the approval of private universities for one year.

According to the Commission, the suspension is part of a broader review of the guidelines for the establishment of private universities, aimed at ensuring that newly established institutions are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The suspension, which took effect from Monday, 10th February 2025, also includes changes to the fees associated with the application process.

The fee for purchasing application forms for establishing a private university has been increased from One Million Naira (N1,000,000) to Five Million Naira (N5,000,000). Additionally, the processing fee for applications has been revised from Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) to Twenty-Five Million Naira (N25,000,000).

The NUC explained that it is in the process of reviewing other aspects of the guidelines to ensure that private universities, when licensed, will be equipped to meet the challenges of modern education.

However, this decision has sparked concerns from various stakeholders. Many have raised issues regarding the lack of clear criteria for accreditation, transparency in university operations, and the adequacy of oversight.

Critics argued that the suspension may be the result of the government’s failure to effectively regulate the sector, rather than addressing the root causes of the poor performance of some private universities.

A concerned citizen, Timothy Oduola, lamented, “This is the reason Nigeria keeps going backward. Tomorrow, someone will feel that because they can afford the 25 million, they will start up a university without having all the requirements.

“And because the NUC has collected such a huge amount, they won’t be able to restrain or sanction them.”

Also speaking, an Abuja based parent, Abduralsheed Adaji, criticised the new fees, saying, “It makes zero sense; there shouldn’t be any fee at all. Rather, the application process should focus on facilities and the number of professors/lecturers. 25 million to apply, lmao, no foresight.”

He also added, “I pity those who’ll seek admission in that university except children of rogue politicians.”

Students have expressed frustration with the suspension, especially given the limited spaces available in public universities.

They said the closure of opportunities for establishing private universities only exacerbates the existing gap in higher education availability, limiting academic and career pathways for young people in the country.

A prospective student who had registered for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) this year, Boniface Christopher,  noted that the high fees associated with private universities may continue to escalate, making them unaffordable for many Nigerians.

“With such high fees for processing a university, I believe the proprietors of these institutions may have to redouble their fees to cover up the costs,” he said.

LEADERSHIP reports that as of February 2024, Nigeria is home to a total of 272 universities, categorised into federal, state, and private institutions.

There are 52 federal universities, which are funded and managed by the federal government and are spread across the country. These institutions often have large student populations and offer a wide range of academic programs.

State universities, numbering 63, are managed by the respective state governments. These universities aim to provide education to students within their local regions, often focusing on regional development and offering programs tailored to the specific needs of their state.

The largest group comprises private universities, with 149 institutions currently in operation. Private universities have been growing rapidly in recent years, offering a variety of specialised programmes.

These institutions are often established by private individuals or organisations and are generally smaller in size compared to public universities.