By John Ikani
In a bold move to transform university education in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has revealed plans to relinquish 70% of its regulatory authority to individual universities, enabling each institution to design and establish their course content in ways that cater for the specific needs of their students.
Under the new arrangement, the NUC would only contribute 30% to the curriculum, giving universities more autonomy and control over their academic offerings.
Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, made these known on Tuesday while welcoming the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who was at NUC to seek provisional licence for the establishment of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kano.
Rasheed explained that the need to create graduates suited to contemporary jobs necessitated the idea of allowing universities to set their course content.
The NUC boss further disclosed that he has directed all universities to constitute committees towards actualizing this objective, urging department heads to be in tune with the essence of this policy.
Rasheed went on to criticize those who condemn the creation of more universities in Nigeria, saying the goal of the government was to expand access to tertiary education, insisting that there can never be enough universities for a country like Nigeria.
Responding, the Kano State Governor thanked the NUC for granting their request to establish the Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, noting that the state would remain indebted to the commission for facilitating educational growth policies.
He also commented on the Almajiri system of education in the north, saying that there was nothing wrong with the concept of education. The key was to review the teaching mode to see areas of improvement.
