The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the reconstitution of its Committee on Degree Mills to strengthen efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal universities in the Nigerian University System.
Executive Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Ribadu, who inaugurated the committee, stressed the importance of safeguarding the credibility of university education in the country.
“The committee was constituted to reinforce the Commission’s commitment to curbing activities that undermine the quality and credibility of university degrees in Nigeria,” Ribadu said.
He added that addressing the activities of degree mills remains vital to maintaining standards and protecting the integrity of the nation’s higher education system.
“Tackling degree mills remains critical to safeguarding standards and protecting the integrity of the nation’s higher education system,” he noted.
The committee is chaired by NUC Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Justina Emerole, and comprises members drawn from key directorates of the commission.
According to the commission, the committee’s mandate includes identifying and investigating suspected degree mills, gathering evidence for prosecution, and verifying claims of affiliation with foreign or local universities.
It will also collaborate with security and anti-corruption agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to shut down illegal institutions and prosecute offenders.
The NUC added that the committee will lead public sensitisation campaigns and make policy recommendations to strengthen regulatory responses against the operations of illegal universities nationwide.
