The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, has reiterated his determination to reposition the Nigerian University System (NUS) to produce higher-quality graduates who can compete favourably on the global stage.
Ribadu disclosed that over 879 new academic programmes were introduced across Nigerian universities in 2025 following the approval of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with implementation already underway nationwide.
He explained that the CCMAS, developed by the NUC, serves as a guiding framework for university programmes in Nigeria. The curriculum structure allocates 70 percent to core disciplinary content and 30 percent to institution-specific components, while embedding critical 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and problem-solving, tailored to each discipline.
Speaking during an interaction in Abuja, Ribadu recalled that upon assuming office in December 2024, he unveiled a seven-point agenda to serve as a roadmap for reforming the NUC and the broader university system. He stressed that his administration remains firmly committed to these priorities as part of efforts to reposition Nigerian universities in line with national development goals.
According to him, the roadmap aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to deliver a competitive and responsive higher education system capable of empowering Nigeria’s youthful population for relevance in a globalised world.
The NUC Executive Secretary listed the seven strategic focus areas of his tenure as increasing access to university education, enhancing funding and external support, driving digitisation, strengthening quality assurance, promoting innovation and research, stabilising the academic calendar, and reviewing the laws establishing the NUC.
On industrial harmony, Ribadu revealed that all outstanding issues surrounding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions were resolved before the end of 2025. He described this achievement as a major step towards ensuring stability and a crisis-free academic environment across public universities as the country enters 2026.
He noted that the Commission played a critical role in facilitating dialogue between stakeholders, helping to resolve long-standing disputes and restore confidence in the system.
Among the major achievements recorded, Ribadu highlighted the payment of N50 billion in arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and Earned Allowances (EA), as well as the integration of these allowances into the salaries of university staff effective from 2026. He also cited the approval of a N150 billion revitalisation fund, with N50 billion already released and awaiting disbursement, alongside the payment of accumulated promotion arrears and the release of third-party deductions from salaries previously withheld during the 2020 strike.
In terms of expanding access, Ribadu said the NUC oversaw the establishment of seven new federal universities in 2025, approved by the Federal Executive Council. These include the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Tai Town, Rivers State; Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State; Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State; Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbuji, Osun State; Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State; and the Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.
He added that six new state universities were established within the same period, while the number of private universities increased by 20. Ribadu assured that regulatory oversight would be strengthened to ensure quality and adherence to global standards.
The NUC also recorded a landmark achievement with the approval of Nigeria’s first-ever branch campus under the Trans-National Education programme—Lincoln University College, Malaysia, Kumo Branch Campus in Gombe State. Additionally, two new distance learning centres were approved, bringing the total number of degree-awarding distance learning institutions to 36, including the National Open University of Nigeria, four private open universities, and 31 dual-mode universities.
On quality assurance, Ribadu said the Commission successfully conducted the routine October/November 2025 accreditation of existing programmes and verification of new ones to ensure compliance with approved academic standards. Similar exercises were carried out for affiliate institutions and distance learning centres as part of efforts to standardise Nigerian university education.
He also disclosed that the Commission continues to collaborate with the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom to provide professional development programmes for Nigerian academics.
Under the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project, Ribadu said the NUC concluded the ACE Impact phase and commenced advanced discussions with the World Bank on a successor initiative, ACE Innovate, for which the Federal Government is processing a $150 million request.
He further revealed that the Commission launched the €38 million Blueprint ICT Development Project funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), with 10 federal universities selected to pilot the initiative. He said the project is expected to significantly enhance research output, programme quality, and overall national development.
