The National University Commission, NUC, says it planning for the repositioning of the Nigerian university system through Core Curriculum and Minimum Non-Academic Standards, CCMAS and the review of the guidelines on transnational education.
The Executive Secretary, NUC Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu stated this on Saturday in Uturu Abia State during the Gregory University Uturu 10th Convocation ceremony.
He said, “The Commission in its effort to reposition the Nigerian university system for excellence and global competitiveness, has embarked on some laudable projects, which include curriculum development from benchmarking new academic standards to Core Curriculum and New Non-Academic Standards, CCNAS.
“Academic standards to core curriculum and academic standards CCNAS, which focuses on the acquisition of 21st century employability skills as top priority, is now available for the universities as well as all stakeholders, both online and remotely.
Abdullahi, who was represented by Chukwuemeka Ofor, added, “The Commission, during the curriculum review, adopted the 70/30 outline of the English Investigation for the Curriculum content. The Commission provided 70% of the minimum academic standards, which are mandatory for graduation in Nigerian universities, and the 30% that universities can compromise to align with their goals for graduation in Nigerian universities”.
He noted that most recently, the Commission reviewed the guidelines on transnational education to allow foreign universities and innovators into the Nigerian university system, pointing out, “through the establishment of campuses in Nigeria, the partnership with the existing universities are under six competitive modes namely; franchise, branch campus, training and articulation, open and distance learning, ODL, acquisition, and the teaching institutions”.
The Transnational Education, TNE is the delivery of higher education programmes across international borders, where students study in their home country (or another country) for a qualification from an awarding institution based elsewhere, using models like branch campuses, franchising, joint degrees, or online learning. It offers greater access, addresses brain drain, and boosts local skills, making foreign university education locally available through various partnerships and delivery methods.
TNE involves collaboration between institutions in different countries, requiring clear agreements, quality assurance, and support for students (e.g., resources, English language). It’s distinct from typical student exchange, focusing on the programmes’ cross-border delivery rather than just student mobility.
Core Curriculum and Minimum Non-Academic Standards, CCMAS refers to Nigeria’s recent educational reform initiative by the NUC and was introduced in December 2022 and implemented from September 2023, as a framework designed to make university education in Nigeria more relevant to 21st-century needs and global demands.
In his address, the founder of the university, Prod. Greg Ibe advised the graduates to confront the country’s challenges headlong with the symbolic ‘five stones of knowledge “aided by the ICT-driven solutions you acquired from the university.
Also speaking, the Chancellor of the University, Okechukwu Gregory Ibe said the university is seeking to lead the way in research and innovation in Nigeria by establishing the best innovation centre, adding, “Beyond academics, our students are second to none in community development. Our commitment to ethics, discipline, and community service has remained unwavering”.
In her address, the Vice Chancellor, Cele Njoku said the University “will continue to equip Nigerian youths with the functional skills and knowledge to weather the storm associated with numerous national and global challenges through acquisition of usable skills, thereby firmly placing us in the part to the diversification of our economy in line with the rest of other world class universities”.
