In a sweeping reform aimed at restoring order and reducing the financial burden on Nigerian universities, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced a new, unified accreditation process led by the National Universities Commission (NUC). This decision comes amid growing concerns from higher institutions over what has been described as a fragmented, costly, and disruptive accreditation regime.
Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, criticized the current accreditation process, calling it inefficient and exploitative. “Accreditation should not be turned into a business,” he declared, emphasizing that universities should not be subjected to repeated assessments from multiple bodies, often at high logistical costs. He described the existing system as “fragmented, costly, and chaotic,” stressing that the government is committed to introducing reforms that support institutions rather than burden them.
Also addressing the issue, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, said universities have long been overwhelmed by the logistical and administrative challenges of hosting several accreditation teams. “Juggling multiple accreditations has been overwhelming and disruptive,” she stated. She emphasized the need for a more coordinated approach that minimizes interruptions to academic activities and allows institutions to plan effectively.
Under the new resolution, accreditation visits will now be jointly conducted by the NUC and relevant professional bodies every five years. On-site assessments will be limited to a maximum of two to three days, and all professional bodies are barred from requesting logistics or financial support from universities. This move is widely seen as a significant win for fairness, transparency, and cost-efficiency.
According to the Ministry, this harmonized approach will strengthen quality assurance, reduce institutional fatigue, and ensure that the process of accreditation serves its core purpose: evaluating and improving academic standards rather than imposing financial and operational strain.
The new policy reflects the Ministry’s broader commitment to higher education reform, aiming to restore trust in the accreditation process and empower universities to focus on delivering quality education in a more stable and predictable environment.
With this directive now in place, stakeholders across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector are optimistic that the days of costly, frequent, and overlapping accreditation exercises may finally be behind them.
