The Federal Government has threatened to
withdraw the provisional licenses issued
private universities found to be operating
outside the law and minimum standards set
by the National Universities Commission
(NUC).
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
who gave this warning, urged the
commission to intensify efforts on
supervision and monitoring of universities
in Nigeria to ensure that minimum
standards are not compromised, adding
"'while we are improving access to university
education by way of increased enrollment.
quality and relevance to national needs are
not compromised.
Mamman charged university managers to
capture skills and entrepreneurship, which
are the current thinking of the present
administration.
He said substantive licenses would be issued
to new universities three years after
probation, only if they meet the
requirements of quality assurance.
He, therefore, warned that the provision of
the licenses might be withdrawn after three
years of probation, if they fail to meet the
full requirements
"As you are probably aware, Nigeria
currently has the largest economy in Africa
with great potential. The country's
population is pencilled to increase up to 400
million by the year 2050
"This should, therefore, evoke a sense of
urgency in preparation to cater for the needs
of this anticipated population
Reminding that education holds the key to
humerous opportunities, Mamman said they
would continue to welcome partnerships
with the private sector, especially in the area
of university education.
"As long as the gap of access to university
education continues to widen and the
enrollment of students in excess of the
standard carrying capacity of the Nigerian
university system persists, the government
would continue to welcome proposals for
funding and infrastructural development.
he said.
On quality assurance, Mamman urged the
universities to maintain the highest
standards in the adoption of best practices.
He advised that upon commencement of
academic activities, the universities should
sustain funding towards improving
infrastructure, equipment for teaching and
learning, as well as human resources up to a
level that would earn them full
accreditation.
On certificate racketeering, he warned that
the ministry would go after anyone with fake
university certificates with the wrath of the
law.
Earlier, the Acting executive secretary, of
NUC, Chris Maiyaki, said private universities
bring a certain uniqueness to the Nigeriar
university landscape.
Maiyaki noted that while the commission
encouraged the innovative posture of some
of these private universities, the ministry
through the commission, embarked on
radical reengineering of the curriculum to
meet the best global standards.
"It is also pertinent that the establishment
of more private universities, under the strict
supervision of the NUC is an important
antidote to the proliferation of illegal
universities or degree mills across the
country: “
He, however, encouraged the proprietors to
ensure that quality is not compromised for
profit motives, as any operation outside the
provision of NUC guidelines would attract
sanctions.
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