NUC Establishes Committee To Combat Rogue Universities

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has inaugurated a reconstituted Committee on Degree Mills as part of renewed efforts to tackle the spread of illegal universities within the Nigerian University System.

In a post shared on the commission’s X handle on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abdullahi Ribadu, while inaugurating the committee, emphasised the importance of protecting the credibility of university education in Nigeria.

Ribadu explained that the committee was set up to strengthen the commission’s determination to address practices that threaten the quality and reputation of university degrees in the country.

“The committee was constituted to reinforce the Commission’s commitment to curbing activities that undermine the quality and credibility of university degrees in Nigeria,” Ribadu said.

He further stressed that confronting the operations of degree mills is essential to upholding standards and preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system.

“Tackling degree mills remains critical to safeguarding standards and protecting the integrity of the nation’s higher education system,” he added.

The committee is chaired by the NUC director of inspection and monitoring, Justina Emerole, and includes representatives from several key directorates within the commission.

According to the NUC, the committee has been mandated to identify and investigate suspected degree mills, compile evidence for prosecution, and verify claims by institutions that claim affiliation with either foreign or local universities.

It will also work closely with security and anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to shut down illegal institutions and ensure offenders are prosecuted.

The Commission added that the committee will also spearhead public awareness campaigns and provide policy recommendations aimed at strengthening regulatory measures against the operation of illegal universities across the country.