Introduction: A Broken Promise of Quality Education
In July 2024, Nigeria’s higher education system faced a reckoning when the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) revoked accreditation for engineering programs at the University of Abuja, Ambrose Alli University, and Modibbo Adama University due to outdated facilities and underqualified faculty (21st Century Chronicle, 2024). This decision left over 12,000 engineering students with degrees that might not be recognised by employers. Earlier in the year, the National Universities Commission (NUC) cracked down on 58 illegal universities operating without proper approval, with many of these institutions charging exorbitant fees for worthless qualifications (Nairametrics, 2024). These scandals expose systemic failures in Nigeria’s education sector, where students risk investing years and significant resources in qualifications that hold zero value in the job market.
These high-profile cases are just the tip of the iceberg, revealing a broader crisis that affects thousands of students across the country.
The Crisis in Numbers: Key Cases
- Unaccredited Programs:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG): Radiography students were stranded when their program lost accreditation, leaving them ineligible for professional licensing (Punch Newspapers, 2024).
- University of Benin (UNIBEN): Approximately 300 veterinary students have expressed concern over delayed graduations amid accreditation uncertainties (FIJ, 2024).
- University of Calabar (UNICAL): Departments such as Law, Anatomy, Physics, and Forest & Wildlife Management risk losing NUC accreditation due to persistent staffing and resource issues (Pulse Nigeria, 2024).
- Illegal Institutions:
The NUC’s 2024 crackdown revealed that 58 unapproved universities—like West African Christian University and University of Accountancy and Management Studies—have been operating without proper accreditation, charging between ₦500,000 and ₦3 million for degrees that employers do not recognise (Nairametrics, 2024; Education.gov.ng, 2021).
- Quota Violations in Legal Education:
Several law faculties, including those at Adekunle Ajasin University and the University of Jos, have been sanctioned by the Council of Legal Education for exceeding their admission quotas and compromising the quality of education and future professional competence (ThisDay, 2024).
These numbers paint a clear picture of the accreditation crisis, but understanding the implications requires exploring why accreditation is so important in the first place.
Why Accreditation Matters
Accreditation serves as an assurance that educational institutions meet minimum standards in key areas:
- Curriculum: Ensures the content is relevant to industry needs.
- Facilities: Guarantees that laboratories, libraries, and classrooms are adequate.
- Faculty: Confirms that lecturers are qualified and typically hold advanced degrees.
Consequences of Non-Accreditation:
- Employment Issues: Graduates from unaccredited programs may discover that employers reject their degrees, as evidenced by UNILAG radiography graduates.
- Professional Licensing: In fields like engineering and veterinary sciences, lack of accreditation directly prevents graduates from obtaining necessary professional licenses.
- Financial Loss: Students attending illegal or substandard institutions can lose significant sums; many end up paying exorbitant fees for degrees that ultimately have little value (Nairametrics, 2024).
With a clear understanding of why accreditation is critical, it is important to delve into the underlying causes behind these failures.
Root Causes of Accreditation Failures
| Issue | Example | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Underfunding | UNICAL’s nursing program: excessive student-to-lecturer ratio | Pulse Nigeria, 2024 |
| Corruption | Bribes for temporary accreditation renewals | Punch Newspapers, 2023 |
| Regulatory Lapses | Engineering programs at UniAbuja, Ambrose Alli, and Modibbo Adama running unaccredited for 3–5 years | 21st Century Chronicle, 2024 |
These root causes both explain the current state and highlight the areas that need urgent reform.
Choosing Reputable Institutions: A Student’s Checklist
- Mandatory Verification:
- Confirm accreditation status via the official NUC portal: nuc.edu.ng.
- Cross-check approvals from relevant professional bodies (e.g., COREN for engineering, MDCN for medicine).
- Red Flags to Avoid:
- Institutions pressuring you to enroll in “limited slots” or charging unusually low fees (e.g., below ₦200,000/year for professional courses in private institutions) may indicate substandard operations.
- Cash-only transactions without verified payment channels can also be a warning sign.
- Campus Visits:
- Inspect the quality of facilities, such as the student-to-lab equipment ratio (NUC standard: ≤10:1).
- Verify faculty credentials—ideally, 75% or more should hold advanced degrees.
By following this checklist, students can better navigate the complex landscape of higher education accreditation.
Recommendations for Stakeholders
Government/NUC:
- Link university funding to accreditation outcomes.
- Develop real-time SMS alerts for changes in accreditation status.
Universities:
- Limit admissions to match available resources.
- Publicly display accreditation expiry dates and regularly update students.
Students:
- Report suspicious practices to the NUC via official channels (e.g., [email protected]).
The combined efforts of government, universities, and students are essential to drive systemic change in the accreditation process.
Pathways for Affected Students
For students who already find themselves in this predicament, a few options are available to salvage the situation:
- Credit Transfers:
Consider transferring to fully accredited institutions where possible. - Skill Development:
In the meantime, enroll in certification programs (such as COREN bridge courses or technical certifications) to boost employability while your degree’s value is reassessed.
These pathways offer immediate relief for affected students while paving the way for longer-term systemic reforms.
Conclusion: Vigilance as a Survival Skill
Nigeria’s accreditation crisis highlights the importance of due diligence when selecting an institution. As one UNIBEN veterinary student puts it, “Verify twice, enroll once—your future depends on it.” While systemic reforms are still in progress, students can protect themselves through careful research and collective advocacy.
Platforms like MentorMe Nigeria offer free accreditation checks and legal guidance, having assisted thousands of students since 2023. Remember: a degree is only as valuable as the rigor behind its accreditation. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and ensure that your investment in education truly pays off.
Your future is in your hands, and with the right steps, you can navigate these turbulent waters toward a successful career.
References:
- 21st Century Chronicle. (2024, July 12). UniAbuja, Ambrose Alli, and Modibbo Adama lose engineering accreditation – COREN
- Pulse Nigeria. (2024, July 27). UNICAL: 4 departments at risk of losing NUC accreditation – Here’s why.
- Punch Newspapers. (2024). Accreditation status pushes students into confusion, despair.
- NewsExpress Nigeria. (2024). Four courses in UNICAL risk losing NUC accreditation.
- Punch Newspapers. (2024). UNILAG radiography graduates stranded over accreditation crisis.
- Nairametrics. (2024, January 4). Certificate scandal: NUC shuts down 58 illegal universities in Nigeria.
- Education.gov.ng. (2021). NUC Lists 58 Fake Universities in Nigeria.
- FIJ. (2024). UNIBEN veterinary students fear they may not graduate over accreditation issues.
- ThisDay. (2024, September 24). Council of Legal Education sanctions nine universities over admission quota violation.
