Twenty-two unauthorized colleges of education have been found and closed by the National Commission for Colleges of Education.
During a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed institutes of education, the finding was made.
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Our correspondent saw the development in the commission’s accomplishments.
Twenty-two unlawful colleges of education operating throughout the nation were found and closed by the NCCE.
According to the commission, “the NCCE carried out financial monitoring and personnel audits in all 21 federal colleges of education.”
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The National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and the National Commission for Colleges of Education were recently urged by President Bola Tinubu to eradicate the nation’s illicit higher education institutions.
Speaking at the 14th National Open University of Nigeria convocation in Abuja, the President urged the NBTE, the NUC, and other organizations to take firm action against those he called “certificate millers” who are threatening the legitimacy of the educational system.
Rakiya Ilyasu, the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, spoke on Tinubu’s behalf. He cautioned that the academic system’s integrity must not be jeopardized.
In order to improve efficiency and quality, the President stated, “It is now necessary to restate that this administration is still committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education.”
“To improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognized institutions both within and outside of the country have no place in our education ecosystem,” he continued, “the National Youth Service Corps, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and the National Commission for Colleges of Education are working in alignment.”
List of the 22 tertiary institutions closed down by the FG
tertiary institutions
As of now, the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has not publicly released the specific list of the 22 illegal Colleges of Education shut down across Nigeria.
This lack of transparency could be due to ongoing investigations, legal proceedings, or the need to verify the full extent of the illegal operations.
Implications for Students
1. Invalid Certificates:
Certificates obtained from these illegal institutions are not recognized by the Federal Government for purposes such as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) participation, employment, or further studies. This means students who have graduated or are currently enrolled may find their qualifications void, severely limiting their academic and career prospects.
2. Disruption of Education:
The closure of these 22 colleges means current students may have their education abruptly halted. They may need to seek admission into accredited institutions to continue their studies, which could involve starting over or transferring credits—if the receiving institution accepts any coursework from an unaccredited school, which is unlikely.
3. Financial Loss:
Students who paid tuition and other fees to these illegal institutions face significant financial losses, as the NCCE has indicated that such schools often charge high fees without providing legitimate education. There is also mention of efforts to prosecute proprietors and recover illegal fees, but it’s unclear if students will be reimbursed.
4. Legal and Administrative Challenges:
Students may face difficulties proving the legitimacy of their education to employers, academic institutions, or government bodies. Those who unknowingly enrolled in these institutions could be caught in legal or administrative limbo, especially if the schools are under investigation or their operators are prosecuted.
5. Limited Access to NYSC and Job Opportunities:
The National Youth Service Corps explicitly requires certificates from accredited institutions for participation. Graduates from these illegal colleges will be ineligible for NYSC, a prerequisite for many jobs in Nigeria, particularly in the public sector. Additionally, employers are likely to reject credentials from unaccredited schools, further limiting job prospects.
6. Potential for Relocation or Re-enrollment:
Students may need to seek admission into accredited Colleges of Education or other tertiary institutions to pursue legitimate qualifications. However, this process can be competitive and costly, and there may be no guarantee of credit transfer, meaning students might lose academic progress. The low enrollment rates in legitimate colleges (as noted with 64 colleges reporting no applicants last year) could complicate securing a spot in an accredited institution.
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