By Kabiru Haruna (AD Press, FMOE)
A high-level meeting was held between the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and representatives of professional bodies to address pressing issues surrounding the accreditation of programmes in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The dialogue focused on the challenges of the current accreditation system and the need for reform to ensure quality and efficiency in higher education.
Dr. Alausa noted that Nigeria currently has about 72 federal universities in addition to over 160 private universities, with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) statutorily mandated to license and accredit universities. Reflecting on the evolution of the accreditation system, he stated that “50 years ago we had just six or seven accrediting bodies, but today we have 25 different bodies visiting institutions at different times, complicating the system and burdening universities.”
He cautioned against turning accreditation into a commercial enterprise, emphasizing that it should not “serve a few people and complicate life for the system.” With over 121 universities, 174 polytechnics, and 125 colleges of education, he stressed the need for a coordinated and efficient approach to accreditation, warning that the current disjointed method drains institutional resources and affects quality.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, saying, “We are a country of law and order. As a policy-making organ, we must ensure our constitution is well followed.” He acknowledged widespread complaints from institutions on the cost and stress of multiple accreditations and pledged to introduce a solution that is “mutually beneficial” to both the education system and the accrediting bodies. He emphasized that “we will not accept indolence in our educational system,” calling for the adoption of global best practices.
In her vote of thanks, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, expressed her appreciation to the stakeholders and praised Dr. Alausa for his transformative leadership in the education sector, saying, “He is like a teacher—I am learning a lot from him.” She posed a critical question to the stakeholders: “Do we agree with the outcomes of today’s deliberations?” which was met with a unanimous “Yes.” She further charged the NUC to lead reforms to align academic accreditation with professional standards.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumiyiwa Enitan, highlighted the shared commitment of stakeholders to improve quality assurance and academic excellence. He called for a coordinated framework that promotes collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility among regional bodies, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions. Mr. Enitan emphasized that the current fragmented system leads to financial strain and confusion, especially when multiple professional bodies revisit already-accredited institutions.
Stakeholders raised concerns over the overlapping and sometimes conflicting accreditation exercises—citing examples where after an NUC accreditation, bodies like ICAN and PAD would still conduct separate visits, creating redundancy and confusion.
At the end of the deliberations, the following key resolutions were adopted:
- Joint accreditation between academic regulators and professional bodies.
- Standardised accreditation mandates for all institutions.
- Accreditation cycles to be held every 2 to 3 years.
- All accreditation exercises to be self-funded by the accrediting bodies.
- The new system will be applicable to all tiers of government.
The meeting served as a significant milestone toward streamlining accreditation in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. It showcased a collective will to root out inefficiencies and harmonize standards in a way that promotes access, equity, and excellence in higher education.
Dignitaries present included the Executive Secretary of the NUC, the Registrar of JAMB, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, the Director of University Education, and other key education stakeholders.