By Achile Danjuma
The National Universities Commission has unveiled a reconstituted Committee on Degree Mills to strengthen efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal universities within the Nigerian University System.
According to a post obtained from the commission’s X handle on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Ribadu, who inaugurated the committee, stressed the need to safeguard the credibility of university education in the country.
Ribadu said the committee was established to reinforce the commission’s commitment to tackling activities that undermine the quality and integrity of university degrees in Nigeria.
“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 noted that addressing the activities of degree mills remains critical 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 added.
The committee is chaired by the NUC Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Justina Emerole, with members drawn from key directorates of the commission.
According to the commission, the committee’s terms of reference include 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, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to shut down illegal institutions and prosecute offenders.
The NUC also said the committee would lead public sensitisation campaigns and make policy recommendations aimed at strengthening regulatory responses against the operations of illegal universities across the country.