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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given foreign universities approval to establish campuses in Nigeria.
Before now, foreign universities or their affiliate bodies were not allowed to operate in Nigeria.
The NUC’s executive secretary, Professor Abdulahi Yusufu Ribadu disclosed this while speaking during the 10th convocation ceremony of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State.
Represented by Offor Chukwuemeka, an official of the Commission, Prof Ribadu said NUC’s review if its guideline on transnational education, was to allow foreign investors/universities into the Nigeria University System (NUS) to establish campuses in Nigeria.
He said the partnership with the existing universities are under six competitive modes, comprising franchise, branch campus, twinning/articulation, open and distance learning (ODL), acquisition and teaching institutions.
Prof Ribadu said outside this, the NUC introduced code of governance for private universities in the country to have a form of uniformity in the running of such institutions.
He added that the NUC embarked on some projects, including curriculum re-engineering from Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) to Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
“NUC during the curriculum review adopted 70:30 NUC:University ratio for curriculum content.
“NUC provided 70 percent of the minimum core course which are mandatory for graduation in Nigerian universities and 30 percent for universities to customise and align with their unique areas of expertise.”
He said these were done with emphasis on the acquisition of 21st Century employability skills for graduating students.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, commended the founder of GUU, Professor Gregory Ibe for his foresight in the establishment of the university, which he said had helped in providing education for the youths of the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, Governor Otti promised his administration’s support for the institution.
The Governor congratulated the graduating students and assured them that their future was bright.
Prof Ibe expressed joy that his dream of establishing such an institution came through.
Ibe, whose address was read by the University’s Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Prof Augustine Uwakwe, reminded the graduating students of the challenges ahead, expressing optimism that they would surmount them.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Cele Njoku enumerated the academic feats of the institution, saying GUU has not only begun a course in Artificial Intelligence (AI), but also in over four major foreign languages.
She disclosed that all the eight programmes submitted to the NUC in 2024, got full accreditation, adding that the institution had submitted another 10 programmes and hoped they would all be accredited.
She congratulated the graduating students and wished them well in their future endeavours.
The Chancellor of the university, Okechukwu Gregory Ibe said GUU is leading the way in research and innovation in Nigeria by establishing the best innovation centre in Abuja.
Over 400 graduates took part in the convocation with Onyechere Chinedum Yadirichukwu emerging the overall best.
