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He, therefore, warned that the provision of the licenses might be withdrawn after three years of probation, if they fail to meet the full requirements.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 numerous 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 Nigerian 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.
