FG Asks NUC, Other Regulatory Agencies for Quality Assurance Mechanisms to Strengthen Open Universities

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has charged the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory agencies to come up with quality assurance mechanisms to strengthen open universities in Nigeria.

Mamman spoke in Abuja at the weekend at the unveiling and maiden matriculation ceremony of the Al-Muhibbah Open University.

He asked the management of Al-Muhibbah Open University to offer programmes that are relevant to the local communities.

The minister said owing to the large pool of students searching for university education, there was a need to open up the system for private education to meet the educational yearnings of the youths.

Mamman said: “Open distance learning education is a relatively new frontier for us and that is the direction our tertiary education is moving.

“I know for a fact; that the government ownership of open university has risen to over 700,000 students, the largest in Africa and the pool of young men and women who are interested in education is unsearchable and very large; so, certainly the government cannot meet these demands.

“So, it is appropriate that we open the system to the private sector which is committed to the provision of this level of education.”

He said: “What we have at the moment is largely focused on conventional institutions, as we strengthen this level of university education; the public must have the assurance that they deliver the quality programmes, which they approve.

“Secondly, one of the focus areas of this government is qualifications that are relevant to our local community; they must be relevant while having the same quality that will make you competitive in the international arena.

 “How do you become relevant within the local frontier? It is by ensuring that you have programmes that embed in their skills, which will make them readily employable or better still employers of Nigerians.

“This government is set and already working with corporate skill sets of the Nigerian education sector right from primary schools to the university because the level we are now is such that we need more people with skills who will provide solutions to Nigerian problems.”

While congratulating the newly admitted students, Mamman charged them to adhere to the university’s regulations and contribute responsibly to the institution.

At the unveiling and matriculation ceremony, 105 students across three faculties and 14 programmes were matriculated.