The Federal Government has said it would launch an investigation into private universities to show if they have in place prescribed facilities, adequate management structure, and adequate funding of programmes, among others.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mammam took the decision in response to the recent media report by an undercover journalist who reportedly acquired a university degree certificate from Cotonou-based university in six weeks, and was also mobilised for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
LEADERSHIP however, observed that about 107 private Universities would be affected given that such institutions were established after 2009 and therefore, fall into the category in question.
The National Universities Commission (NUC), on its website indicated that Nigeria currently has a total of 147 private universities and 107 of them were established in the last 15 years.
However, in a twist of fate, only 40 private universities find themselves in the spotlight as they skillfully dodge the bullet of investigation.
The Universities are; African University of Science and Technology (2007), Achievers University, Owo (2007), Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (2009), Ajayi Crowther University, Ibadan (2005), Al-Hikma University (2005), Al-Qalam University, Katsina (2005), American University of Nigeria , Yola (2003), Babcock University, Illisan-Remo (1999), Bells University of Technology, Otta (2005), Benson Idahosa University, Benin City (2002), Bingham University, New Karu (2005).
Others are; Bowen University, Iwo (2001), Caleb University, Lagos (2007), Carnitas University Enugu (2005), Covenant University, Ota (2002), Crawford University, Igbesa (2005), Crescent University (2005), Fountain University, Osogbo (2007), Godfrey Okoye University (2009), Igbinedion University, Okada (1999), Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeyi (2006), Kwararafa Univery, Wukari (2005), Lead City University, Enugu (2005), Madonna University, Abuja (1999).
That’s notwithstanding, we have; Nile University, Abuja (2009), Novena University, Ogume (2005), Obong University, Obong Ntak (2007), Oduduwa University, Osun (2009), Pan-Athlantic University, Lagos (2002), Redeemer’s University, Ede (2005), Renaissance University, Enugu (2005), Rhema University, Akwa Ibom (2009), Paul University, Anambra (2009), Salem, Lokoja (2007), Tansian University, Umunya (2007), University of Mkar, Mkar (2005), Veritas, Abuja (2007), Wellspring University, Edo (2009), Wesley University, Ondo (2009) and Western Delta University (2007).
LEADERSHIP earlier reported how Mammam said the inter-ministerial committee set up to look into the activities of illegal universities would also examine “the veracity of the allegations of degree certificate racketeering within both foreign and local private universities in Nigeria.”
The ducation minister said the panel will also examine the procedures and processes for periodic accreditation of programmes in the universities by the NUC and examine their effectiveness in quality assurance of the programmes.
The panel will also, as part of its Terms of Reference, “review the role of any MDA or its officials (including identifying such officials) in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of the fake certificate in question and examine the rules, procedures and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
Other terms of reference include to: “Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (degree mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form with their identities and locations if any.
“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognitions, accreditations and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria
“Examine the extant rules, procedures and processes for granting of provisional licences to new universities by the National Universities Commission.:
