Education
NUC’s New Varsity Curriculum receives commendation from GUNi-AFRICA, AAU, Others
The development and launch of the new Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in curriculum re-engineering by the National Universities Commission (NUC) has recieved commendations from experts
Executive Secretary of the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi) Africa, Professor Juma Shabani, the Secretary General of the Association of African Universities (AAU), Professor Olusola Oyewole and scholars at a global quality assurance conference held in Washington, DC, have indicated that CCMAS would enhance quality teaching and learning in Nigerian Universities.
Professor Shabani, a former head of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Bamako Cluster Office and had participated similar exercises, referred to the process as “revolutionary” and worth emulating by other African countries in the quest to attain the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
At the post-launch sensitisation workshop held for Vice-Chancellors, Professor Oyewole who delivered the keynote address was excited about what he labelled as “the future-fit curricula” and described NUC’s efforts as “building the future today”.
According to him “the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, has become the instrument for restoring the originality in the Nigerian university system. He is returning to the Nigerian university system confidence and trust”.
Scholars who got a preview of the CCMAS at the 2023 global conference of the Washington-based Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) International Quality Group (CIQG) held between January 23 and 26, were unanimous in applauding the giant strides of Nigeria and eager to receive updates on the full implementation of the new curriculum.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on return from the Washington conference, the chairman of the NUC Strategy Advisory Committee (STRADVCOM) Professor Peter Okebukola attributed the trajectory to the far-sightedness of Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed who has fired a revolution in the Nigerian university system guided by the Blueprint on Rapid Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria (2019-2023)
According to Okebukola “the curriculum re-engineering process under Professor Rasheed is not just a quick fix which began few months ago as wrongly portrayed by some.
” It is a six-step process which began with a sensitisation lecture about five years ago. This was followed by survey of the gaps in the existing curricula of Nigerian universities.
” The input from the findings formed the basis of a revised edition of the curricula by teams of national and international experts in the disciplines, and private sector players led by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
” The next step was input from Departments and Faculties in the Nigerian university system funnelled to NUC through the Senate of the Universities. Now came the very rigorous step of review which took the better part of 16 months.
” The review teams were carefully selected from among the best scholars in their disciplines, members of professional bodies and Academies. The product of the review which underwent further validation was unveiled on December 5, 2022 by the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Secretary to Government, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
Okebukola who is a former Executive Secretary of NUC stressed that some, out of ignorance, believe that NUC has no business with facilitating curriculum development and minimum standards setting for universities, and failing to note that such power is pursuant to the provisions of Education (National Minimum Standard and Establishment of Institutions) Act No. E3 L.F.N. 2004, and National Universities Commission Act No. N81 Laws of Federation Nigeria (L.F.N.) 2011, which empower the National Universities Commission (NUC) to set minimum academic standards for Nigerian universities.
Okebukola who has observed similar quality assurance-related exercises across the world, singled out Professor Rasheed’s model as one of the best in Africa as it embeds two follow-up activities in the package.
According to him, “One is the intensive training/capacity building of implementers of the CCMAS, a project that is to be coordinated by Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i (former Honourable Minister of Education and member of STRADVCOM).
“The other is the development of textual materials to support the implementation. This project is coordinated by Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs (Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities and member of STRADVCOM).
“Ten highlights of the 2022 CCMAS which replaces the 15-year old and long-overdue-for-change Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) are: (1) Comparable in content to similar curricula in the best university systems in the world and relevant to Nigeria’s socio-cultural context; (2) Addresses the knowledge and skills gaps in the curriculum it is replacing; (3) While providing 70% of core curriculum as minimum for all Nigerian universities, it allows universities to customise and bespoke the curriculum by adding 30% of courses to reflect their uniqueness of mission and contextual peculiarities.
“It also places accent on entrepreneurship, practical rather than theoretical knowledge and skills and the development of 21st century skills; (5) in line with contemporary global practice, change of nomenclature from Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) to Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS); (6) in consonance with emerging development globally, the curriculum is to stimulate blended learning in its delivery; (7) strategically configured to produce future-fit graduates; (8) provides essential foundations for lifelong learning; (9) nurtures deep thinkers and problem solvers and graduates who are highly skilled in their professions and disciplines; and (10) encourages interdependencies of disciplines,” he stated.
Okebukola concluded that from his personal assessment, the NUC CCMAS is configured not as a business-as-usual document, saying it has provided allowance of 30 per cent for universities to innovate and take care of any gap Senate of each university wishes to fill. It is a living document which will keep adding more “cells”.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its international reach by accrediting additional foreign schools in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea to conduct its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
These newly accredited schools will join those in Saudi Arabia, which previously secured NECO’s accreditation, to begin writing the examinations starting next year.
NECO’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mallam Azeez Sani, announced this in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna. He said the initiative reflects NECO’s commitment to broadening its horizons and establishing a global presence.
Thorough Accreditation Process
According to Sani, NECO’s Accreditation Team visited the schools to assess their readiness for the examinations.
The evaluation process included inspections of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, examination halls, and sports facilities.
“After a comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full accreditation status for both SSCE and BECE,” he said.
This expansion, he added, highlights NECO’s dedication to delivering quality education assessments that transcend Nigeria’s borders, offering opportunities for students to benefit from its expertise and standards.
Strengthening Regional Impact
The council’s growing influence has made it a key player in Africa’s education sector. Currently, NECO examinations are being conducted in several countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Saudi Arabia.
NECO also disclosed that the ongoing NECO SSCE External Examination is being conducted at the UNHCR School in Diffa, Niger Republic—the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.
The council reiterated its commitment to advancing education on the continent and beyond. “With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, fostering educational excellence and contributing to the development of the education sector across the region,” the statement read.
This international accreditation further reinforces NECO’s standing as a credible examination body, providing students worldwide with access to reliable and standard assessments.
The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to making Nigeria a beacon of educational excellence, emphasizing the critical role of education in driving national progress.
This pledge was made on Thursday during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to discuss two bills: The Federal Polytechnic Onueke, Ezza South, Ebonyi (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and The Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri (Establishment) Bill, 2024
Representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West) highlighted the Senate’s dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable development through education.
“Education remains a cornerstone for national progress,” Senator Zam noted. “Its accessibility to all Nigerians, irrespective of geographical or socio-economic status, is a priority for this Senate.”
He emphasized that the input of stakeholders at the hearing would underscore a shared resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s educational framework, expand opportunities for intellectual growth, and provide technical and vocational training for the nation’s youth.
Akpabio, through Senator Zam, assured Nigerians of the Senate’s dedication to legislative measures that promote equity, national growth, and prosperity.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, explained that the Federal Polytechnic Onueke Bill aims to bolster technical and vocational education, aligning with the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment and enhance socio-economic conditions.
Similarly, Senator Kenneth Eze (Ebonyi Central), sponsor of the Federal Polytechnic Onueke Bill, emphasized that the institution would address pressing challenges in the labor market by focusing on skill-based education, ICT, and applied sciences.
“This initiative represents a paradigm shift for a nation grappling with high unemployment rates. It is a step toward advancing human capital development and securing a brighter future for Nigerian youths, particularly those in Ebonyi State,” Senator Eze said.
The Senate reiterated its commitment to legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening the education sector and creating opportunities for skill acquisition and intellectual development. By supporting these bills, the Senate seeks to position Nigeria as a global leader in education and human capital development.
The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu for six weeks following an alleged bullying incident that was widely circulated on social media.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who emphasized that safety and discipline are paramount in federal schools.
According to Folashade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, the incident involved a gang assault on an SS1 day student and raised serious concerns about student welfare at FGC Enugu.
The viral video prompted the ministry to establish a disciplinary committee to investigate, leading to the temporary suspension of the students involved.
Dr. Alausa has directed the School-Based Management Committee to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough probe into any possible external influences.
In addition, the government has introduced enhanced security measures at the college, with law enforcement presence and strengthened safety protocols.
As part of the response, the ministry will also provide counseling and rehabilitation services to promote a safe, positive school environment for all students involved.
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