NUC Moves To Tighten University Accreditation, Admission Monitoring, Research Commercialisation
The National Universities Commission (NUC) is introducing stricter post accreditation monitoring and admission oversight across Nigerian universities, alongside new measures to strengthen quality assurance, research commercialisation and digital transformation in the nation’s higher education system.
The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the commission’s 2026 retreat with vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities in Abuja.
Ribadu said the commission was preparing to institute post accreditation monitoring visits to universities to ensure that institutions sustain the quality standards required for accredited academic programmes.
He also announced the introduction of post matriculation monitoring and carrying capacity visits to improve admission processes and ensure that universities operate within their approved capacities.
The NUC chief said the measures formed part of broader efforts to strengthen regulation, improve academic standards and make Nigerian universities more responsive to national development needs.
Since assuming office on December 23, 2024, Ribadu said his administration had strengthened the commission’s management structure and reviewed operational guidelines to improve the quality and relevance of university education.
He disclosed that the commission had also developed new guidelines for the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees, including sanctions for universities that violate the rules.
According to him, the NUC Policy Development Strategy Committee has completed a comprehensive review and produced Blueprint 2.0 for the Rapid Revitalisation of Nigerian University Education, while a 21st century strategic plan is being developed to guide the commission’s future operations.
The commission is also transitioning from the Annual Performance Evaluation system to a Performance Monitoring System, in line with the initiative of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Ribadu urged university leaders to strengthen institutional strategic planning and ensure that research activities translate into practical solutions for Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.
He identified agriculture, healthcare, education, technology, manufacturing, environmental management and the creative industry as sectors where university research should deliver tangible results.
To advance this objective, he said the commission had launched the ACE Alliance platform to facilitate collaboration among Nigeria’s 20 African Centres of Excellence and published a four volume compendium of their research outputs.
He added that the Tertiary Education Research and Application Services platform of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund had been integrated with the Nigerian Research and Education Network to promote research collaboration and application.
The NUC is also developing a National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap and Policy Framework to guide the integration of AI into the Nigerian University System.
Ribadu said the commission was working to strengthen research commercialisation through the establishment of a dedicated division, while plans were underway for selected vice chancellors to undertake international visits to universities in Europe and Asia to study global best practices in commercialising research outputs.
On digital transformation, the executive secretary announced that the commission had developed and deployed e-NUC, a digital platform designed to automate its entire workflow.
He said the NUC was also developing accreditation software to improve transparency, data management and the efficiency of programme accreditation.
However, he stressed that digital transformation required more than acquiring technology, noting that universities must also invest in institutional readiness, capacity building, cybersecurity and appropriate policies.
The executive secretary acknowledged that inadequate funding remained a major challenge for the university system, urging institutions to explore alternative funding sources through partnerships with the private sector, alumni associations and development partners while maintaining accountability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
He said the commission had established partnerships with organisations including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement and the African Development Bank to mobilise additional support for the sector.
Ribadu called on vice-chancellors to demonstrate visionary leadership, integrity and accountability, adding that institutional stability depended on constructive engagement among university managements, staff, students, governing councils, alumni and government.
The two day retreat brings together vice-chancellors and other stakeholders to deliberate on regulatory compliance, governance, leadership, research, funding and partnerships.
Ribadu expressed optimism that the discussions would produce practical recommendations and measurable commitments to improve the quality, relevance and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
