The National Universities Commission (NUC) has attributed the surge in illegal degree-awarding institutions to parents who prioritise university certification above all else.
Acting executive secretary Chris Maiyaki, in an exclusive interview in Abuja, expressed concern over the unchecked growth of unaccredited institutions and satellite campuses, emphasizing that they remain prohibited in the country.
Maiyaki underscored the importance of scrutinizing institutions before enrollment, cautioning parents against falling prey to fraudulent entities with commercial motives.
He remarked, “The challenge of access, the huge gap between supply and demand makes parents desperate about getting university education for their children, and this makes them vulnerable to greedy and fraudulent persons with commercial undertone.”
Highlighting the commission’s proactive stance, Maiyaki detailed the measures taken to combat the proliferation of illegal institutions.
He disclosed the establishment of a committee tasked with identifying, locating, and prosecuting those involved in illegal activities.
Maiyaki revealed that similar efforts were made in 2000, where a total ban on satellite campuses was enforced with the support of the Federal Executive Council.
Addressing the persistent issue, he stated, “We establish a committee on the closure of illegal universities, and we mandated it to identify, locate and prosecute those perpetrating illegalities, and we also do this in a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving security agencies.”
Underscoring recent successes, Maiyaki disclosed the reconstitution of a committee in 2021 to identify and prosecute operators of illegal institutions. The relentless efforts of the commission in collaboration with various stakeholders have led to significant strides in curbing the menace.
As the NUC intensifies its battle against illegal degree mills, it calls upon parents to exercise due diligence in selecting educational institutions for their children, urging a collective effort to ensure the integrity of the nation’s higher education system.
