NUC advises varsities on award of degrees

National Universities Commission (NUC) has tasked Nigerian universities, particularly the private-owned, to award degrees to students based on proven character and learning.

Acting Executive Secretary, NUC, Chris Maiyaki, gave the charge at the maiden Matriculation and Endowment of El-Amin University, Minna, Niger State, at the university’s auditorium on Tuesday.

Maiyaki stated that the term ‘private’ should not be misunderstood to mean that such institutions were commercial enterprises set up to provide monetary returns to the proprietor.

The NUC boss highlighted that from the pre-qualification criteria and rigour of the licensing procedure, the government’s intention was clear, adding that universities were social enterprises and legacy projects.

He added: “The Return on Investment (RoI) is best calculated in terms of impact on the lives of graduates, communities and national development.”

Enjoining the proprietors of private universities to see themselves as partners with government and communities, rather than business entrepreneurs, the NUC boss pointed out that between 2016 and 2023, the number of private universities in Nigeria increased, amid the unsolved challenge of access to university education.

He revealed that Nigeria has 272 universities, including 61 federal, 63 states and 148 private universities, saying El-Amin is among the latest to be educated.

While congratulating the matriculating students for their admission into El-Amin, he urged them to approach it with an open mind, a thirst for knowledge, and a willingness to embrace new experiences.

He lauded the founder of El-Amin International Schools, Dr Maryam Babangida, for her foresight and dreams for university education.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor, El-Amin University, Dr Mohammed Babangida, maintained that the university “is well-positioned to impart quality knowledge to her students,” noting that El-Amin schools were known for the best, which had been sustaining her legacy across the globe.

Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University of Education, Minna, Prof Mohammed Yahaya, and former Justice of the Supreme Court (JSC) of Nigeria. Musa Dattijo Mohammed, in their goodwill messages, urged the students to work hard to make their parents and guardians proud.

The university has so far established three faculties, including the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences.

Forty-eight students were administered the oath of allegiance to the university by the Registrar, Mrs V.N. Kolo.