By Joseph Erunke, Abuja The National Universities Commission (NUC) is stepping up regulatory oversight of Nigerian universities, introducing fresh quality assurance measures targeting admission processes, academic standards, accreditation and institutional governance amid growing concerns over the quality and global competitiveness of university education. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 NUC retreat with vice-chancellors of all Nigerian universities. Among the measures being pursued by the commission are post-accreditation monitoring visits to universities, post-matriculation monitoring and carrying-capacity visits to improve admission processes, and the development of accreditation software to enhance transparency, data management and regulatory compliance. Ribadu also announced plans to develop a national artificial intelligence roadmap and policy framework for the Nigerian University System, alongside efforts to strengthen research commercialisation and translate university research into practical solutions for national development. The two-day retreat, which brought together vice-chancellors of federal, state and private universities, is themed “Enhancing Regulatory Compliance, Governance, Leadership, and Partnership in the Nigerian University System”. The renewed push for tighter oversight comes as Nigerian universities grapple with funding constraints, technological disruption, questions of academic quality and the need to produce graduates equipped with the skills required by a rapidly changing economy. Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, said improving the university system required stronger compliance with regulatory directives, transparent institutional administration and closer collaboration between the NUC and university managements. Ahmad, who declared the retreat open, said universities could no longer rely on isolated institutional efforts or regulatory directives alone to overcome the challenges confronting higher education. She said sustained engagement between the regulator and university leadership was necessary to ensure coherent policy implementation and make institutions more responsive to national priorities and global developments. According to her, the growing influence of artificial intelligence, digital learning, data analytics, virtual laboratories, research and innovation requires universities to rethink their operations while safeguarding academic integrity, ethics and data protection. The minister stressed that vice-chancellors must demonstrate accountability in financial management, procurement, recruitment, promotion, admissions and examinations. She urged university heads to establish clear institutional visions, set measurable performance targets and create environments conducive to academic excellence. Ahmad said the retreat should go beyond discussions to produce practical commitments capable of delivering measurable improvements across the university system. She expressed support for the proposed communiqué and post-retreat monitoring mechanism, describing them as important instruments for ensuring that resolutions reached at the meeting translate into concrete institutional action. Ahmad similarly warned that the adoption of AI must be accompanied by safeguards for academic integrity, responsible use, ethics and data protection. In his address, Ribadu said the commission had strengthened its operational guidelines since he assumed office on December 23, 2024, as part of efforts to improve the quality and relevance of university education. He disclosed that the NUC had introduced post-matriculation monitoring and carrying-capacity visits to universities to improve admission processes and ensure institutions operated within appropriate capacity limits. The commission, he added, was preparing to institute post-accreditation monitoring visits to strengthen the implementation of quality assurance standards after academic programmes had secured accreditation. Ribadu also announced the development of new guidelines for the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees, including sanctions for universities that violate the rules. He said the NUC Policy Development Strategy Committee had completed a comprehensive review and produced Blueprint 2.0 for the Rapid Revitalisation of Nigerian University Education. The commission is also developing a 21st-century strategic plan and transitioning from the Annual Performance Evaluation system to a Performance Monitoring System pioneered by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Ribadu urged universities to strengthen institutional strategic planning, warning that sustainable improvements in academic standards req
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
