President Bola Tinubu has ordered a clampdown on illegal tertiary institutions in Nigeria. He said they are damaging the credibility of the country’s education system.
Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Tinubu called the operators of such institutions “certificate millers.”
He was represented at the event by Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The activities of certificate millers must be stopped permanently,” Tinubu said. “The integrity of our academic system must not be compromised.”
He directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and others to intensify efforts to clean up the education space.
Other agencies mentioned include the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
“These agencies must work together to identify and eliminate fake institutions, both at home and abroad,” he said.
51 Inmates Graduate from NOUN
A total of 51 inmates from different Nigerian correctional centres graduated from NOUN. This includes 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduate students.
The President described this as a sign of hope and an example of how education can change lives.
“It proves that education is not limited by prison walls. Everyone deserves a second chance,” he said.
The convocation also saw NOUN confer honorary degrees on Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives.
Push for Full Online Learning
President Tinubu asked NOUN to lead the country’s push into a digitally driven economy.
He encouraged the university to take the lead in online learning and expand its digital programs nationwide.
“NOUN should fully adopt digital tools and create a learning environment that matches today’s global standards,” he said.
NOUN is Nigeria’s largest open and distance learning institution, with thousands of students across the country and abroad.
Tinubu said technology will play a big role in transforming Nigeria’s education system and called on NOUN to serve as a model.
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