The federal government has ordered the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other relevant government agencies to clamp down on illegal tertiary institutions to protect the sector from quackery.
It specifically directed the agencies to ensure that the activities of certificate mills are permanently put to an end.
President Bola Tinubu stated this at the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Tinubu, who was represented by the Director of University Education, Hajiya Rakiya Ilyasu, emphasised that the integrity of the nation’s academic system must not be compromised.
He charged universities with implementing innovative policies that ensure graduates are well-prepared for the workforce and equipped with academic excellence and essential soft skills for success in today’s digital world.
Tinubu noted that globally, economies are shifting toward knowledge-based systems, and Nigeria must not be left behind.
He highlighted the urgent need to prioritise innovation and digital skills while stressing the need to end the country’s proliferation of illegal universities and other tertiary institutions.
“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.
“The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), NUC, NBTE, and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are collaborating to improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognised institutions, both within and outside the country, are eliminated from our education system.
“The integrity of our academic system must not be compromised, and the activities of certificate mills must be checked and permanently stopped,” he stated.
President Tinubu also tasked NOUN to take the lead in building a digitally skilled workforce to drive Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness, noting that the institution has the potential to shape the future of education and skills development in the country.
He called on the university’s management to transition NOUN into a fully online institution, leveraging its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) expertise.
He pledged his administration’s support for education through information technology to enhance learning.
“Through strategic interventions, we are ensuring that education remains inclusive and technologically driven,” he added.
He disclosed that the federal government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is financing the installation of fibre optics infrastructure at NOUN to provide seamless internet access for students at study centres nationwide.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said the convocation was held simultaneously in Abuja and across the 36 state centres.
He disclosed that a total of 17,420 students, comprising 10,967 undergraduates and 6,413 postgraduates, graduated from the various faculties.
He added that the university’s commitment to equity and equal opportunity is evident in its efforts to promote lifelong learning and widen access, especially for inmates in correctional centres.
To date, 139 inmates have benefited from NOUN’s scholarship programmes across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
He urged the graduating students to uphold integrity, pursue excellence, and use their education to impact society positively.
He encouraged them to remain connected to their alma mater by actively supporting the university’s development efforts, both individually and collectively.
The convocation also saw the graduation of 51 inmates from different correctional centres across the country, comprising 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduate students.
