Despite the existence of 67 illegal universities, satellite campuses and study centres in the country, National Universities Commission (NUC) is yet to clamp down on the institutions.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Abubakar Rasheed, who spoke at the 11th convocation of Al-Hikmah University held in Ilorin on Saturday affirmed existence of the unaccredited institutions.
This was as the Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, had knocked NUC for its inability to sanction illegal universities in the country.
Speaking at the ABUAD in Ado Ekiti during the university’s 9th convocation on November 22, Babalola also expressed disappointment with the approval by the National Assembly of one-subject universities in its members’ constituencies.
Babalola, therefore, called on the Federal Government, the NUC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to apply appropriate sanctions on illegal universities, which he said should include “forfeiture of the properties of the founders and imprisonment of all collaborators.’’
Rasheed said all the alleged illegal institutions award certificates made the matter worse.
He, however, said that the NUC is tackling the situation headlong to discourage the illegality and ensure that reputation of tertiary education in the county is not damaged.
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“The commission is taking concrete steps through inter-agencies collaboration to tackle the untoward development headlong, especially by mass sensitisation of unsuspecting patrons through periodic publication list of such ‘Degree Mills,” he stated.
The NUC boss called for concerted effort of all stakeholders to check dwindling standard of education to make the country greater.
He said, “The New Nigeria project is a task that must be accomplished by all. We all have a role in shaping the future of our dear country. So, no sacrifice will be too much to salvage the palpable nosedive of our education system.
We are all stakeholders in the scheme of selfless commitment to producing competent and resourceful manpower that will drive the much desired development in all strata of the Nigerian life.”
The Pro-Chancellor of the Al-Hikmah University who is a former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said the security challenge in the country was a creation of all the people of the country and advised that there is the need for the people to all get involved in the efforts to get rid of the challenge if the country is to get over the crisis.
He stated, “At present, the overarching topical issue is the one that borders on security challenges. We are where we are today as a direct consequence of our actions and inactions, although the government, especially at the centre, is doing its best to tackle the problem, we all must stand up to confront the monster together.
“From the community to the state and national levels, we need to change our mindset. The restoration of peace and security remains a non-negotiable responsibility that must be borne by all. Far from just paying lip-service while discussing the problem, we all need to assiduously work to walk the talk.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Noah Yusuf, congratulated the 1,079 students that graduated at various levels at the convocation but advised them to be ready for the task ahead and not to see their graduation as end of learning and life struggle.
