The Federal Government has intensified efforts to eliminate unapproved tertiary institutions by closing 22 illegal Colleges of Education across the country.
The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), which led the operation, said the closures are part of its ongoing campaign against unaccredited institutions. “The NCCE identified and shut down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating across the country,” the Commission said.
The exercise also involved personnel audits and financial monitoring in all 21 federal Colleges of Education.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to major regulatory agencies; the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the NCCE; to take decisive action against unapproved institutions undermining the education sector.
Speaking at the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, the President, represented by Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, described such institutions as “certificate millers” and stressed the need to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s academic system.
He added that the government remains committed to strengthening collaboration among regulatory agencies including NYSC, JAMB, NUC, NBTE, and NCCE, to improve education quality and eliminate fake certificates and unrecognised institutions both within and outside Nigeria.
