The National Universities Commission (NUC) is a government commission for promoting quality

higher education Higher education is tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Higher education, also called post-secondary education, third-level or tertiary education, is an optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after compl ...

in Nigeria. Situated in

Abuja Abuja () is the capital and eighth most populous city of Nigeria. Situated at the centre of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Plan ...

, it was established in 1962 as an advisory agency in the cabinet office. In 1974, it became a statutory body and its first executive secretary was professor Jibril Aminu. NUC is currently part of the Federal Ministry of Education and is a

parastatal A state-owned enterprise (SOE) is a government entity which is established or nationalised by the ''national government'' or ''provincial government'' by an executive order or an act of legislation in order to earn profit for the government ...

(government-owned corporation). The commission has a governing council, currently headed by professor Shehu Galadanchi and its executive secretary is prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who assumed office on 3 August 2016. Since its establishment, the commission has transformed from a small office in the cabinet office to an important arm of government in the area of development and management of university education in Nigeria.

History

The National Universities Commission or NUC as it is sometimes called in Nigeria began operations in 1962. It came into being as one of the recommendations of the Ashby Commission which also recommended the creation of new federal universities. NUC initially operated as a supervisory body in the development of university education in Nigeria. At inception, NUC was created by executive action and was initially placed under the Cabinet's Office. The pioneer chairman was the Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Tukur who was succeeded by

Rotimi Williams Rotimi Williams is a farmer and former journalist. He owns Kereksuk Rice Farm in Nassarawa State which is the second largest commercial rice farm in Nigeria by land size. His farm, which is situated in Nasarawa state in northern Nigeria, currently ...

. During the early period of operation, performing the objectives of the organization was hampered by the legal structure of its foundation, as NUC was a non-statutory body within the Cabinet's Office while university education during the First Republic was within the concurrent list. After the military came to power in 1966, NUC was empowered to conduct coordination activities within the federal university system. In 1974, a new legislation restructured NUC to become fully a statutory body headed by an Executive Secretary. Under

Jubril Aminu Jibril Muhammad Aminu (born August, 1939) is a professor of cardiology. He was Nigerian Ambassador to the USA (1999–2003) and was elected Senator for Adamawa Central constituency of Adamawa State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2003. He is a ...

as secretary, NUC established an overseas office to coordinate recruitment of staff for newly established universities. Between 1975 and 1998, NUC's involvement in the administration of universities gradually grew, it became influential in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, members of university governing councils and managed the establishment of new faculties and course offerings. In 1985, it was saddled with additional responsibilities to set minimum academic standards and inspect and vet course offerings in universities. In 1999, a new democratic government granted some autonomy to universities governing councils.

Key objectives

* Advice executive on the financial needs of universities. * Coordinate the development of universities in Nigeria. * Allocate and disburse federal grants and external aids to universities. * Research and advice executive on topics relating to higher education development in Nigeria. * Advice executive on the creation of degree-granting institutions. * Advice government on the creation of faculties within Nigerian universities

Administration

Activities

In 2002, NUC conducted an accreditation and quality survey and ranking of state and federal universities. The organization has established an electronic network to link research activities within universities to one another. On 3 February 2021 the Nigerian Universities Commission approved additional 20 Private Universities which has now made 99 approved Private Universities in Nigeria, which also include
Mewar International University
promoted b
Adhyay International
making it first Indian University to expand its campus to Nigeria in the Nasarawa State

Functions

* Granting approval for all academic programmes run in Nigerian universities; * Granting approval for the establishment of all higher educational institutions offering degree programmes in Nigerian universities; * Ensure quality assurance of all academic programmes offered in Nigerian universities; and * Channel for all external support to the Nigerian universities.

References

External links

National Universities Commission of NigeriaNUC Newsletter
{{Authority control Universities and colleges in Nigeria Education in Nigeria Government of Nigeria Organizations based in Abuja Government agencies established in 1962 1962 establishments in Nigeria