The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, pledged to overhaul the Commission’s existing laws, calling them outdated and insufficient for today’s academic needs. He emphasized that this reform is crucial to improving the NUC’s effectiveness and service delivery.
Ribadu made these remarks during his first day at the Commission on Monday, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 9th Executive Secretary of NUC. He took over from Mr. Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Executive Secretary, and received the official handover notes.
Echoing the concerns of the outgoing Acting Executive Secretary, Maiyaki, Ribadu acknowledged that the Commission’s laws have been a major hindrance, particularly in addressing the growing issue of illegal degree mills in the country. Ribadu stressed the need for the Commission to revisit and update these laws to ensure they meet current challenges in Nigerian higher education.
“We will take a close look at the laws that govern our operations and its interactions with stakeholders to pinpoint areas for improvement. Our aim is to modernize the Commission, boosting its ability to drive meaningful change in university education,” Ribadu stated. He added that this review is a key part of his mission to reassert NUC’s leadership in shaping Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
The new Executive Secretary also highlighted the ongoing challenges in access to quality university education. He pointed out that while around 2 million candidates take the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, only about 500,000 are admitted into Nigerian universities. Ribadu emphasized his commitment to expanding access to university education by improving public universities’ infrastructure, promoting e-learning, and leveraging private sector resources.
Drawing from his extensive experience working at the NUC as a Sabbatical and Visiting Professor, Ribadu expressed confidence in tackling the tasks ahead. “I understand the magnitude of the responsibility on my shoulders, and I am prepared to work tirelessly to ensure that NUC continues to play a pivotal role in transforming the Nigerian University System (NUS),” he said.
In addition to the law reform, Ribadu outlined several priorities for his tenure, including stabilizing the academic calendar, increasing funding and external support, advancing digitalization, and reinforcing quality assurance processes within universities.
In his farewell address, the outgoing Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Maiyaki, reiterated the need for urgent legal reform, citing how the existing laws have hindered the smooth operation of the Commission. He called for a comprehensive review to enhance the NUC’s effectiveness as the regulatory body for university education in Nigeria.
Maiyaki also shared his achievements during his 18 months at the helm, including the licensing of new universities, bringing the total number of universities in Nigeria to 276. He also mentioned the approval of over 1,000 graduate and postgraduate programs and the implementation of the new Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which was developed under his leadership.
As Ribadu takes on this critical role, his focus on legal reform and innovation promises to shape the future of higher education in Nigeria.
