Commission To Institutionalise Micro-Credentials In Nigerian Varsities

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has commenced moves to institutionalise micro-credentials within Nigerian universities.

LEADERSHIP reports that micro-credentials are short and focused certifications that verify a person’s skills or competencies in a specific area.

The executive secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, stated this at a two-day stakeholders’ capacity building workshop on the development of a National Micro-Credential Framework for Nigeria in Abuja yesterday.

The workshop is organised in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada.

The executive secretary of NUC, represented by the director of Research, Innovations and Information Technology, Malam Mohammed Lawal Farouk, expressed the commission’s commitment to reforms that promote quality, access, relevance and lifelong learning in higher education.

He explained that the NUC’s ongoing reforms, including the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards, were designed to strengthen quality assurance, curriculum relevance and graduate employability, acknowledging the limitations of traditional programme structures in a rapidly evolving world of work.

“As the nature of work continues to evolve, there is growing recognition that traditional programme structures alone may not sufficiently address the need for continuous upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning.

“It is within this context that micro-credentials are emerging as a complementary mechanism for delivering short-cycle, outcomes-based learning aligned with specific skills and competencies.”

“Micro-credentials are not envisaged as replacements for degree programmes,” he clarified. “Rather, they are flexible learning pathways that can enhance access, support skills development and strengthen the linkage between higher education and the world of work,” he added.

According to him, the workshop’s objective is to develop a framework grounded in national education policy and consistent with the NUC’s regulatory mandate.

“This workshop is convened to support the development of a National Micro-Credential Framework that provides clear guidance on design, delivery, assessment, recognition and progression pathways within the Nigerian higher education system,” he said.

In his remarks, the president and chief executive officer of the Commonwealth of Learning, Peter Scott, emphasised the global significance of micro-credentials, noting that they have become one of the most important developments in higher and technical education in the post-pandemic era.

“Unlike traditional qualifications earned over long periods, micro-credentials certify clearly defined learning outcomes achieved through short courses or modules that are transparently assessed.

“They offer flexible pathways for upskilling and reskilling, support lifelong learning and strengthen employability by responding quickly to emerging skills demands,” he said.