In a bold move aimed at streamlining quality assurance in tertiary education, the Nigerian Government has slammed the brakes on the growing trend of multiple accreditations of academic programmes in universities by professional bodies acting independently of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed through a circular dated May 9, 2025, signed by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu. The move follows a critical observation by the Federal Ministry of Education that exposed the rising wave of duplicative accreditation processes in Nigerian universities—an issue many have described as burdensome and inefficient.
“The National Universities Commission is in receipt of a letter, Ref. FME/DUE/206/T/191, dated 9th May 2025, from the Federal Ministry of Education, drawing attention to the disturbing increase in the trend of multiple accreditations by various professional bodies operating without recourse to the NUC,” the circular stated.
The Minister of Education, in response to this development, has approved the immediate cessation of such independent accreditations. Going forward, professional bodies will no longer have the liberty to evaluate university programmes in isolation of the NUC, Nigeria’s apex regulatory body for university education.
However, in what appears to be a strategic concession to preserve essential regulatory oversight, the government has granted waivers to select professional bodies with critical national roles. These include:
Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
Council of Legal Education (CLE)
Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN)
Veterinary Council of Nigeria
Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
Architects Registration Council of Nigeria
These bodies are permitted to continue their regulatory activities but strictly in collaboration with the NUC.
“This directive is to ensure a unified, transparent, and less cumbersome accreditation process that safeguards the integrity of our university education system,” the NUC circular emphasized.
The policy shift is expected to reduce bureaucratic red tape, minimize financial burdens on universities, and foster a more cohesive standard for academic programme accreditation across Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
The circular has been dispatched to all Vice-Chancellors for immediate compliance and implementation, marking what many insiders describe as a significant turning point in the regulation of university education in the country.
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