- Dr. Alausa Demands Overhaul of “Chaotic” Tertiary Accreditation System
- Alausa noted that over 25 professional bodies independently conduct accreditation
- Enitan reassured stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to promoting cooperation
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa has called for a comprehensive revamp of Nigeria’s tertiary education accreditation process, criticizing it as disjointed, expensive, and ineffective.
Eko Hot Blog reports that while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with professional regulatory bodies, Dr. Alausa advocated for streamlining accreditation under the National Universities Commission’s authority to eliminate the “chaotic and exploitative system.”
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Currently, he noted that over 25 professional bodies independently conduct accreditation visits to universities, frequently billing institutions for logistics and stipends, adding further strain to already constrained educational budgets.
“Accreditation should not be turned into a business,” he warned. “Universities should not bear the financial weight of a service that’s supposed to ensure quality.”
Dr. Alausa underscored the necessity for Nigeria to embrace a unified, streamlined accreditation system that upholds academic and professional standards while increasing accessibility and minimizing red tape.
Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, echoed Dr. Alausa’s sentiments, recounting her own overwhelming and disruptive experiences coordinating numerous accreditation exercises. “Institutions are under immense pressure, often resulting in artificial compliance to meet impossible expectations,” she noted.
In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, reassured stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to promoting cooperation among all parties involved to protect the best interests of both students and educational institutions.
Supporting these sentiments, Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, acknowledged the discord between academic and professional standards and stressed the need for legal and operational clarity to improve the accreditation process. “Universities are being accredited by NUC and simultaneously disaccredited by professional bodies over conflicting requirements,” he said.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, agreed with the concerns raised by fellow education leaders, pointing out that various accrediting organizations have taken advantage of legislative gaps. He stated that the exploitation has led to duplication and inefficiencies within the accreditation system. “This abuse must stop. We need a rational, collaborative solution,” he concluded.
The stakeholders’ meeting resulted in a consensus on several key resolutions to enhance Nigeria’s tertiary education accreditation process. The agreed-upon measures include:
- Joint accreditation exercises conducted by NUC and relevant professional bodies.
- Five-year validity for all accreditations.
- A two-to-three-day time limit for on-site accreditation visits.
- Mandatory self-funding of accreditation activities by professional bodies without burdening universities.
- Consistent application of these measures across all Nigerian tertiary institutions.
