The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) acting executive secretary, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, following his pragmatic and courageous reforms in the commission aimed at addressing substandard academic delivery.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Executive Director Comr. Blessing A. Akinlosotu said the commitment of NUC under the leadership of Maiyaki has been very impressive, as the Commission has embarked on ridding Nigeria of substandard academic delivery.
“On the other hand, the international ratings of our universities have begun to witness steady ascension due to pragmatic regulations by the leadership and management of the NUC, boosting the morale and welfare of the staff of the Commission to achieve more.”
According to Blessing, the removal of universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which enhances corporate governance of the universities and removes unnecessary bottlenecks in the implementation of programs and projects by the institutions.
“This single action also underscores Mr. President’s compliance with the subsisting court order in that regard and respecting the yearnings of university-based unions.”
Furthermore, the implementation of the newly redeveloped Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which offers the universities the opportunity to develop 30 percent of their curriculum content while 70 percent is provided by the NUC, is a major milestone in the attainment of functional and qualitative education in Nigeria.
This is expected to have a positive impact on Nigerian universities as it would assist in producing highly skilled, fit-for-purpose graduates, in line with the current realities of our country.
NCSCN urged the Minister and Management of the Ministry to continue in this positive direction, saying that “We all can also recall the recent exposure of a University in Benin Republic that for years has been awarding highly compromised degrees to Nigerians within a few months of studies and stern actions taken by the National University Commission (NUC).
“We strongly recommend the consolidation of these gains made in the university sub-sector, especially by the NUC, and to promote stability and progress in the purely administrative role of the NUC to continue to oversee and regulate our ivory towers effectively.”
