President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other relevant government agencies to intensify their efforts in eliminating illegal tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
He emphasized that the country’s education system must be protected from quack institutions and certificate racketeers.
Tinubu, who was represented by Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, Director of Universities Education, issued the directive on Saturday at the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
At the event, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees.
While Adesina received the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) (Honoris Causa), Abbas was awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) (Honoris Causa).
Also at the ceremony, 51 inmates from various correctional centres across the country graduated from NOUN, including 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduate students.
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The president stressed that the government would not tolerate the proliferation of fake academic institutions and pledged his administration’s resolve to strengthen the quality of education delivery across the country.
“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” he stated.
He also noted that the NYSC, JAMB, NUC, NBTE, and NCCE were working together to improve education and ensure that institutions involved in forgery and unrecognized certificates, both within and outside Nigeria, are eliminated.
“I therefore charge the heads of these agencies to remain steadfast in upholding government’s resolution to safeguard our education sector from quack and fake institutions as the integrity of our academic system must not be compromised and that the activities of certificate millers are checked and put to a stop permanently,” he added.
Tinubu urged universities to adopt policies that would better equip graduates with the academic and soft skills needed in today’s digital economy, pointing out that the global economy is becoming more knowledge-based and Nigeria must not lag behind.
He specifically charged NOUN to lead the development of a digitally skilled workforce and support Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness. He called for the university’s full transition into a completely online institution in line with its strength in Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
“I am therefore directing that the University take its delivery system to the fullest potential by embracing technology holistically. This transition requires NOUN to fully leverage cutting-edge digital tools to enhance accessibility, flexibility, and the overall quality of education,” he said.
