By Idris Auwal
The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has uncovered and shut down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating across the country.
The development was made known in the commission’s recent achievements obtained by our correspondent. According to the report, the commission intensified its crackdown on illegal institutions, carrying out audits and monitoring exercises across federal institutions.
“The NCCE identified and shut down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating across the country. The NCCE also conducted personnel audit and financial monitoring in all the 21 federal colleges of education,” the statement read.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed key education agencies to stamp out illegal institutions of higher learning. Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Tinubu warned that “certificate millers” were undermining the credibility of Nigeria’s academic system.
The President, represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, called on the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the NCCE to intensify efforts against unaccredited schools.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He further stressed that agencies including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), NUC, NBTE, and NCCE must continue to align efforts to safeguard the education sector and prevent cases of forgery or unrecognised institutions.