NUC blacklists 57 varsities •Investigates 8 others
August 28, 2015
Written by:
Clement Idoko - Abuja
IT appears illegal universities keep springing up in Nigeria just as the National Universities Commission has announced the blacklist of 57 illegal degree awarding institutions operating in the country or any of its other campuses in the country.
The ban of the illegal degree institutions was contained in the commission's Monday bulletin, a weekly publication obtained by the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, on Thursday.
Professor Julius Okojie, NUC boss
Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, had warned that certificates obtained from the institutions would not be recognised for the purpose of employment, further studies and participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Okojie said in addition to the closure, eight other illegal degree mills were currently undergoing investigations as well as ongoing court actions.
The eight universities being investigated by the commission were National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu and Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State.
Others are West Coast University, Umuahia, Abia State; Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; Volta University College, Aba, Abia State and Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
NUC boss noted that this was intended to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and charges on subscribers.
Okojie, on Wednesday, told visiting members of Course 37, 2015 Study Group 5 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, that some promoters of the illegal universities were prosecuted and jailed.
He had said that the commission had continued to wage war on the illegal universities, as part of efforts to sanitise university system in Nigeria.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that some of these illegal universities were located in ramshackle primary schools and others ran as distance learning programmes.
The 57 illegal universities, as contained in the Bulletin were: University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its campuses; University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses; University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Blacksmith University, Awka or any of its campuses; Volta University College, and Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Royal University Izhia.
Others were: Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses; Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State or any of its other campuses; Sunday Odokpela University, Otada Adoka, Otukpo, Benue State or any of its other campuses; United Christian University, Macotis Campus, Imo State, or any of its other campuses; United Nigeria University College, Okija, Anambra State or any of its other campuses; Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses; UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses; Saint Augustine University of Technology, Jos, Plateau State or any of its other campuses; The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Columbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria; and Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.
The list also included Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria; London External Studies, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria; Lobi Business School Makurdi, Benue State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria; Bolta University College, Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria; JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna Campus; Westlan University, Esie, Kwara State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria and EC- Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
Others affected in the clampdown were Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo Akwa Ibom State or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Concept College/University (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; and Houdegbe North American University Campuses In Nigeria.
Others were Atlantic International University, Okija, Anambra State; Open International University, Akure; Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo; Leadway University, Ugheli, Delta State; Metro University, Dutse/Bwari, Abuja; Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State; Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State; Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja; Temple University; Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria; National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State and University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and its Annex at 41, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Also on the list were University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; African University Cooperative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre; Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academy, Lagos; Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko Campus); Career Light Resources Centre, Jos; University of West Africa, Kwali-Abuja, FCT; Coastal University, Iba-Oku, Akwa-Ibom State; Kaduna Business School, Kaduna and Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger Delta.
