About Us

The National Universities Commission was established in 1962 as an advisory agency in the Cabinet Office. However in 1974, it became a statutory body and the first Executive Secretary, in the person of Prof. Jibril Aminu was then appointed.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Education (FME). The Commission has a Governing Council, its Acting Executive Secretary is Mr. Chris Maiyaki, who assumed the duty of overseeing the activities of the Commission on June 30, 2023.

Over the years, the Commission has transformed from a small office in the cabinet office to an important arm of government in the area of development and management of university education in Nigeria.

Historical Background

The National Universities Commission (NUC) was established in 1962 as an advisory agency under the Federal Ministry of Education. Its creation was prompted by the Nigerian government’s recognition of the need to regulate and coordinate the activities of universities in the country to ensure their development aligned with national goals. At the time, there was a growing demand for higher education due to the country’s independence in 1960, and there was an urgent need to ensure that universities contributed effectively to nation-building.

Initially, the NUC operated as a part of the Cabinet Office, primarily tasked with advising the government on university education matters, including funding and resource allocation. However, as the number of universities in Nigeria grew, the role of the NUC expanded significantly. In 1974, the commission was restructured and granted full statutory powers through a decree, which gave it the authority to oversee university education in Nigeria comprehensively. This restructuring marked a shift from its advisory role to a more regulatory and developmental function.

The NUC’s mandate includes accrediting academic programs, approving the establishment of new universities, and ensuring compliance with minimum academic standards. It also plays a pivotal role in determining and disbursing funding to federal universities and advising the government on policies to enhance the quality and relevance of university education in Nigeria.

Over the years, the NUC has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s higher education system. It introduced the accreditation of university programs to ensure that institutions meet national academic standards. The commission also spearheaded reforms to align university curricula with the socio-economic needs of the country, particularly in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The NUC has faced challenges, including funding constraints, the rapid expansion of universities, and the need to address issues of quality and access in higher education. Despite these challenges, the commission continues to play a crucial role in regulating and improving Nigeria’s university system, ensuring it contributes effectively to the country’s development. Today, the NUC remains a key agency in the Federal Ministry of Education, driving reforms and initiatives to enhance the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of university education in Nigeria.

The Main Functions of the Commission are outlined as follows:

  • Granting approval for all academic programmes run in Nigerian universities;
  • Granting approval for the establishment of all higher educational institutions offering degree programmes in Nigerian universities;
  •  Ensure quality assurance of all academic programmes offered in Nigerian universities; and
  • Channel for all external support to the Nigerian universities.

The Commission has twelve Directorates; Directorate of Academic Planning, Directorate of Inspection and Monitoring, Directorate of Human Resources, Directorate of the Establishment of Private Universities, Directorate of Students, Directorate of Research, Innovations & Information Technology, Directorate of Finance and Accounts, Directorate of Accreditation, Directorate of Open and Distance and e-Learning, Directorate of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Directorate of Public Affairs,  Directorate of Special Projects and the Directorate of the Executive Secretary’s Office. Each of the Directorates is headed by a Director.

The Commission has recorded a number of successes since its inception. These successes can be attributed to quality of leadership, dedication and commitment of the staff, the quality of its Board members, cooperation received from Universities and support from the Federal Government.

As a coordinating body, the Commission ensures it discharges its responsibilities by recruiting adequate and relevant man power and appeals to the Universities for their sustained support and understanding. The Commission also relies on support from the Federal Government, State Governments and other stakeholders in its bid to improve on the quality of tertiary education and graduates of the nation’s university system.

Mandate of the Commission

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has a broad mandate to regulate, coordinate, and oversee university education in Nigeria. Its responsibilities are designed to ensure the quality, relevance, and accessibility of university education in the country. Below are the key mandates of the NUC:

Granting Approval for the Establishment of Universities:

  • Approves the creation of new federal, state, and private universities to ensure they meet minimum standards before operation.
    Academic Program Accreditation:
  • Conducts accreditation of programs offered by universities to ensure they meet established quality benchmarks and national academic standards.
Development of Academic Standards:
  • Sets and monitors minimum academic standards for all programs and disciplines in Nigerian universities.
Ensuring Quality Assurance:
  • Implements policies and measures to maintain and enhance the quality of education in universities.
Funding and Resource Allocation:
  • Advises the Federal Government on funding allocations for federal universities and ensures judicious use of such funds.
Curriculum Development and Review:
  • Works with universities to develop and periodically review academic curricula to align with national and global trends, as well as socio-economic needs.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Supervises the operations of universities to ensure compliance with regulations and established standards.
Promoting Research and Innovation:
  • Encourages and facilitates research activities in universities to address national development challenges and promote innovation.
Coordinating University Education:
  • Coordinates the overall development of university education in Nigeria to ensure alignment with the country’s educational and developmental goals.
Advising the Government on Higher Education Policy:
  • Provides policy advice to the Federal Government on matters relating to university education and its role in national development.
Facilitating Inter-University Collaboration:
  • Promotes collaboration among Nigerian universities and with international institutions to enhance academic and research partnerships.
Regulating Distance Learning Programs:
  • Monitors and accredits distance learning programs to ensure quality standards are upheld.
Database Management:
  • Maintains a comprehensive database of all universities, their programs, staff, and students for policy formulation and planning.
Promoting ICT Integration in Universities:
  • Supports the use of information and communication technology in teaching, learning, and administration within the university system.
Conflict Resolution:
  • Mediates and resolves disputes within the university system, including those involving staff, students, and management.
    These mandates ensure that the NUC serves as a central body to foster excellence and standardization in Nigeria’s university education system.

These mandates ensure that the NUC serves as a central body to foster excellence and standardization in Nigeria’s university education system.

Vision of the National Universities Commission (NUC):

  • To be a dynamic regulatory agency acting as a catalyst for positive change and innovation for the delivery of quality university education in Nigeria.

Mission of the National Universities Commission (NUC):

  • To ensure the orderly development of a well-coordinated and productive university system that guarantees quality and relevant education for national development and global competitiveness.

Functions of NUC

The functions of the National Universities Commission (NUC) include accrediting academic programs and institutions to ensure they meet minimum standards, granting approval for the establishment of new universities, and monitoring and evaluating the performance of universities. The NUC also establishes and enforces quality assurance mechanisms, develops academic standards, and coordinates university education in Nigeria.

It serves as an advisory body to the government on policies related to university education and promotes research and innovation within universities.

Additionally, the NUC facilitates inter-university collaboration, ensures the relevance of university curricula, and regulates distance learning programs. It supervises university management, advises on funding allocations, advocates for the integration of ICT in education, and supports the professional development of university staff.

The functions of the National Universities Commission (NUC) are:

  • Accreditation of academic programs and institutions.
  • Approval of the establishment of new universities.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of university performance.
  • Establishment and enforcement of quality assurance mechanisms.
  • Development of academic standards.
  • Coordination of university education in Nigeria.
  • Providing policy advice to the government on university education.
  • Promotion of research and innovation in universities.
  • Facilitation of inter-university collaboration.
  • Monitoring and review of university curricula.
  • Regulation of distance learning programs.
  • Supervision of university management.
  • Advising on funding allocations for universities.
  • Promotion of the integration of ICT in education.
  • Support for the professional development of university staff.

Faculty of NUC

The National Universities Commission (NUC) does not operate with faculties like a typical university. Instead, it functions as a regulatory and coordinating body for university education in Nigeria. It oversees the activities of universities, but it does not have faculties or academic departments of its own.

However, the NUC supervises and accredits the faculties and departments of Nigerian universities, ensuring that they meet academic standards and align with the national education goals. These faculties are found within individual universities, and the NUC’s role is to regulate and support them.

In Nigerian universities, typical faculties include:

  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Agriculture, among others.

The NUC’s role is to ensure that these faculties operate according to national standards and contribute to the overall development of the university system.

Conclusion

While the National Universities Commission (NUC) does not possess faculties or academic departments, its pivotal role in regulating and coordinating university education in Nigeria ensures that the faculties within individual universities adhere to national standards. By supervising and accrediting these faculties, the NUC upholds the quality and integrity of higher education, fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence and national development.