NSUK Defends Record PhD Graduations, Dismisses ‘Commercialisation’ Claims

The Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) has defended its record-breaking postgraduate output, insisting that its expanding doctoral programme reflects increased access and academic strength, not a compromise of standards.

The university, in an official statement issued on Sunday by its management, signed by Jaafar Abdullahi Abubakar,acting information and Protocol Officer, to push back against criticisms trailing its recent Silver Jubilee convocation, where it graduated a total of 32,884 students across three academic sessions.

The figure includes 1,677 PhD holders, 8,169 master’s graduates, 2,809 postgraduate diploma recipients, and 20,229 first-degree graduates, alongside two honorary awardees.

While some critics have questioned the scale of its postgraduate output, the institution described such claims as “outdated and unfounded,” particularly narratives suggesting the commercialisation of its doctoral programmes.

NSUK maintained that its approach is in line with global trends aimed at expanding access to higher education, especially in developing countries where cost, distance, and limited institutional capacity have historically restricted postgraduate studies.

“Access is not a compromise,” the university stated, noting that its flexible academic structure allows qualified professionals and scholars to pursue advanced degrees without lowering academic standards.

The institution emphasised that its doctoral research is tailored toward addressing real-world challenges, including climate-smart agriculture, public health, conflict resolution, digital governance, and economic development.

According to the statement, many of its PhD graduates are already contributing across key sectors such as academia, diplomacy, civil service, and international organisations.

NSUK also highlighted its growing international collaborations, noting that its faculty and research supervision increasingly involve global partnerships, conference participation, and cross-border academic engagement.

On quality assurance, the university outlined a multi-layered evaluation process for postgraduate students, including admission screening, proposal defence, ethical review, progress seminars, external examination, and final oral defence, all culminating in Senate approval.

It added that independent examiners from institutions within and outside Nigeria are involved in assessing theses to ensure credibility and alignment with global standards.

The university further pointed to its adoption of digital systems in managing postgraduate education, including online admissions, research tracking, and electronic records, aimed at improving transparency and efficiency.

While welcoming constructive criticism, NSUK cautioned against what it described as misrepresentation of its achievements.
“To reduce the success of thousands of scholars to claims of commercialisation is unfair,” the statement read.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to producing graduates whose research is “credible, impactful, and globally competitive,” stressing that expanding access does not equate to lowering standards.