Why Nigeria approves 37 new universities: NUC

*Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, describes the new Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards Book 1 as a ‘game-changer’ in the University system lauds commended the Minister for Educations for ‘several achievements recorded under his watch’

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has said the Federal Government recently approved 37 more Universities to expand admission opportunities, heighten the frontiers of knowledge, and attract the best brains to the country’s University system.

Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Executive Secretary of NUC, who stated this at public presentation of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) Book 1 Series for Nigerian universities and a book in honour of Malam Adamu Adamu, Honourable Minister for Education, Tuesday in Abuja, FCT, commended the Minister for his several achievements recorded under his watch, especially in the area of universities development.

Prof. Abubakar stated: “As of yesterday (Monday) morning, there were 111 private universities in the country, (but) as of yesterday evening, the number had risen to 148 private universities in the country.

“That is, of the 148 private universities in Nigeria, 87 or 60 percent came during Adamu Adamu as Minister of Education.”

Malam Adamu, however, expressed delight that out of the 37 new private universities approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Monday, large number of them are situated in the Northern Nigeria.

The Minister called for the establishment of Federal Teachers Service Commission.

He noted that such a move would ensure reforms put in place in the teaching profession yield desired results.

“I want to leave one legacy in your hands (heads of education agencies and others), we wrote a letter and the President approved everything, but there is one yet to come into fruition, that will make education totally different

“It was recently I realised that we need a Federal Teachers Service Commission, so I want to leave this in your hands, so that all those things approved by Mr. President, the teachers will be able to get it, and education will begin to attract the best brains,” Adamu said.

CCMAS is a game-changer in Nigerian universities, says Abubakar

Prof. Abubakar, who also described CCMAS as a game-changer in the Nigerian universities, commended Prof. Peter Okebukola, his predecessor at NUC, for his role in its development, describing him as chief architect of the curriculum.

In his remarks at the event, Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the CCMAS was a right step in the right direction.

Jega stressed “this is very important contribution to the repositioning of the Nigerian education system.

“The new curriculum is no doubt a tremendous value addition to repositioning our education system and it is wonderful that this has happened under the current Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.”

Kindly Share This Story