The Nation Newspaper

Tag: accreditation

  • Beware: Only UNILAG has full accreditation for Law

    Beware: Only UNILAG has full accreditation for Law

    Only University of Lagos (UNILAG) has full accreditation to offer Law among public and private universities in the country.

    The Council of Legal Education disclosed this in a list of accredited and approved faculties of Law in Nigeria published on Wednesday and signed its Secretary and Director of Administration of the Council.

    The accreditation of three universities; Lagos State University, University of Abuja and Benue State University have been suspended.

    Twenty seven others have Provisional Accreditation; five have Interim accreditation while 19 others have approval to commence.

    According to the Council, Suspended Accreditation means the faculty of Law has its accreditation suspended while those with Interim accreditation are still subject to further accreditation.

    The facilities of those given approval to commence still have to be subjected to further verification for Interim Accreditation status.

    The Council explained that the accreditation status and approved quotas of recognized faculties was published for the benefit and guidance of the public, parents and students.

     

    FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES

     

    UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN        PROVISIONAL    150

    UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS           FULL                      270

    UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,

    NSUKKA                                        PROVISIONAL    220

    UNIVERSITY OF

    MAIDUGURI                                PROVISIONAL   200

    UNIVERSITY OF BENIN           PROVISIONAL   180

    UNIVERSITY OF JOS                 PROVISIONAL   170

    UNIVERSITY OF

    CALABAR                                       PROVISIONAL  170

    UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN          PROVISIONAL   150

    UNIVERSITY OF UYO                PROVISIONAL   150

    OBAFEMI AWOLOWO

    UNIVERSITY                                 PROVISIONAL  250

    BAYERO UNIVERSITY                PROVISIONAL 220

    USMAN DAN FODIO                   PROVISIONAL 80

    AHMADU BELLO

    UNIVERSITY                                 PROVISIONAL 280

    UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA            SUSPENDED      –

    NNAMDI AZIKWE

    UNIVERSITY                                  PROVISIONAL 180

    UNIVERSITY OF

    PORT-HARCOURT                      COMMENCE    50

     

    STATE UNIVERSITIES
    Adekunle Ajasin University        Provisional         50

    Ebonyi State University               Interim                150
    Ekiti State University                   Provisional            60

    Abia State University                   Interim                 130
    Delta state University                  Provisional           120
    Enugu State University of

    Science and Technology             Provisional            100
    Kogi State University                  Provisional              60
    Rivers State University               Provisional            250
    Nasarawa State University         Provisional             40
    Ambrose Ali University               Provisional           120
    Olabisi Onabanjo University      Provisional           170

    Osun State University                  Interim                    50

    Bukar Abba Ibrahim                     Commence             50

    Umaru Musa Yar’adua                 Commence              50
    Imo State University                    Provisional            100

    Bauchi State University               Commence              50

    Chukwuemeka Odimegwu

    Ojukwu University                       Interim                    100

    Lagos State University                 Suspended               –

    Benue State University                Suspended                –
    Niger Delta University                 Provisional              80

     

    PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

    Igbinedion University             Provisional      100

    Afe Babalola                              Commence      180

    Crescent University                 Commence         50
    Babcock University                  Provisional      100

    Baze  University                        Commence         50

    American University

    of Nigeria                                   Commence           50
    Bowen University                    Provisional             50

    Benson Idahosa                       Interim                    60

    Nigerian Turkish Nile             Commence             50

    Joseph Ayo Babalola               Commence             50

    Al-Hikmah University            Commence              50

    Lead City                                    Commence              50

    Ajayi Crowther                          Commence              50

    Edwin Clark                                Commence             50

    Madonna University                 Provisional             50

    Elizade University                     Commence            50
    Salem University                       Commence            50
    Gregory University                    Commence            50
    Edo University                           Commence           50

     

  • LBS gets global accreditation

    LBS gets global accreditation

    Lagos Business School (LBS) has become the first institution in West Africa to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

    From December 1, 2016, LBS joined the league of no fewer than five per cent of business schools globally to be accredited by this body.

    AACSB is the leading global accreditation body for business schools offering undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.

    Founded in 1916, AACSB has its headquarters at Tampa, Florida, United States of America. It is the largest business education network, linking students, academia and businesses to advance the cause of business education around the world.

    By the feat of AACSB accreditation, LBS has once more distinguished itself as a management education provider of high repute in Africa. Only four other schools in the entire continent have this accreditation; three in South Africa and one in Egypt.

    In his congratulatory message, the Vice President and Chief Accreditation Officer of the global accrediting body, Robert D. Reid, said: “Congratulations LBS and Dean Enase Okonedo on being the first institution in Nigeria to earn accreditation, and we welcome them into the family of AACSB-accredited business schools.

    “AACSB accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. The entire Lagos (LBS) team, including the administration, faculty, directors, staff, and students, are to be commended for their roles in earning accreditation.”

    Reid explained that the accreditation process was designed to validate business schools that are committed to global standards of excellence in strategic management and innovation, student experience, and quality of  both teaching and non-teaching staff.

    “This accreditation affirms LBS’s undeniable commitment, over the last 25 years, to world-class standards in teaching, learning, research, academic and professional management.

    “The rigorous accreditation of AACSB International and the LBS’ ability to scale all the hurdles by sheer determination and strong leadership, have more than ever confirmed LBS’ status as one of the most distinguished business schools in Africa,” he said.

  • Varsity gets accreditation for online Psychology masters

    The University of Roehampton, London Online’s MSc in Psychology programme has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK that is responsible for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good.

    Vice President of Academic Affairs for the online programmes, Prof Clare Pickles, said the institution was proud of the recognition.

    “Achieving this recognition makes us very proud as we are one of the few online psychology programmes to receive this accolade; it underpins the rigour and value students and employers expect from the University of Roehampton, London Online.  Gaining BPS accreditation helps graduates access a range of training, development and professional employment opportunities in psychology,” she said.

    BPS accreditation is an independent mark of quality defined and delivered in partnership with psychologists, demonstrating that the quality standards in education and training are continually met. Graduates of the online MSc in Psychology programme will be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS.

    The Roehampton Online MSc in Psychology allows students to grow on a professional and personal level while developing psychological literacy that helps provide a new understanding of how to relate to their environments. Students benefit from a thematic learning framework and programme structure that enables different psychological disciplines to be applied to real-world contexts. They can also discover how to apply a range of research methodologies, and develop a strong understanding of how to put psychological research into practice.

  • Ondo: Tension high as accreditation begins

    There was palpable tension on Saturday as the voting and accreditation process commenced in the Ondo governorship election on Saturday.

    This followed the violent clash in Owo on Thursday in which a chieftain of the APC, Afolabi Olaposi, was killed.

    As at 8.a.m. when the accreditation and voting process commenced in some parts of the state, there were only few voters at some polling units, fuelling fears of insecurity and voters’ apathy.

    Olaposi was killed by unknown gunmen on Thursday night in Owo.

    The party said in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, on Friday in Akure that Olaposi was shot dead on his way home after attending a meeting of the party in preparation for the governorship election.

    “The assailant also went to the house of Chief Jamiu Ekungba, an APC aspirant in the Sept. 3 Primary, and vandalised seven vehicles in his compound.

    “Ekungba was not to at home during the attack,’’ the party had said in the statement.

    No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards would decide who the governor would be out of the 28 contestants in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, 378,606 did not turn up to collect their PVCs.

  • Varsity gets accreditation for online Psychology masters

    The University of Roehampton, London Online’s MSc in Psychology programme has been accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK that is responsible for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good.

    Vice President of Academic Affairs for the online programmes, Prof Clare Pickles, said the institution was proud of the recognition.

    “Achieving this recognition makes us very proud as we are one of the few online psychology programmes to receive this accolade; it underpins the rigour and value students and employers expect from the University of Roehampton, London Online.  Gaining BPS accreditation helps graduates access a range of training, development and professional employment opportunities in psychology,” she said.

    BPS accreditation is an independent mark of quality defined and delivered in partnership with psychologists, demonstrating that the quality standards in education and training are continually met. Graduates of the online MSc in Psychology programme will be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS.

    The Roehampton Online MSc in Psychology allows students to grow on a professional and personal level while developing psychological literacy that helps provide a new understanding of how to relate to their environments. Students benefit from a thematic learning framework and programme structure that enables different psychological disciplines to be applied to real-world contexts. They can also discover how to apply a range of research methodologies, and develop a strong understanding of how to put psychological research into practice.

  • College receives accreditation team

    A 37-member accreditation team from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) was at the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State for five days to conduct quality assurance and assessment of facilities in the college.

    The team also assessed academic programmes and did appraisal of the teaching method to ensure quality service delivery in line with objectives of the government.

    Speaking at a ceremony held at the permanent site of the college, the NCCE team leader, Dr Vitalis Uji, said the team made up of experts drawn from different professions across all geo-political zones. He said the team would ensure thorough assessment.

    He observed that the team’s assignment was to sustain quality assurance in the system, noting that NCCE would also assess quality of students and the lecturers.

    He said: “The Act establishing NCCE requires that every NCE programme running in the colleges should be accredited and certified to be of acceptable minimum standards for it to be operational. It is illegal and criminal to run NCE programmes that are not accredited or whose accreditation statuses have expired.”

    Welcoming the NCCE team to the college, the Provost, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, said: “As new academic programmes are presented for initial accreditation, previous programmes are re-accredited to maintain high academic standards.”

    The last accreditation exercise for NCE programme in the college took place in 2011. This college is presenting seven new programmes and 16 old programmes for assessment and re-accreditation.

    The provost assured the team that the management would provide necessary logistics for them to move round the campus during the exercise.

  • Kogi College gets accreditation

    The Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba has been given 100 percent accreditation for its National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme.

    This was contained in a press statement that quoted a letter from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Abuja conveying the result of the accreditation exercise conducted last November, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation in Lokoja.

    The statement which was signed by the school’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. O. Yunusa, stated that the 11 programmes presented for accreditation were all approved.

    They include: Biology Education, Mathematics Education, Integrated Science And Computer Education.

    Other programmes that got the nod are Physics, Chemistry, Fine and Applied Arts, Technical Education, Agricultural Education and Physical and Health Education.

    The provost of the institution, Dr Awo Olajide Komolafe, said the feat was a testimony of hard work and dedication by the workers, and government’s support for the college.

    He added: “It is the first of its kind for a new college to achieve the feat of clinching 100 percent success in accreditation outing among colleges of education in the country”.

    The institution hosted the team from the NCCE between November 22 and 28, 2015 for the exercise.

  • NAFDAC central control lab retains accreditation

    NAFDAC central control lab retains accreditation

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control’s (NAFDAC’s) Yaba Central Drug Laboratory in Lagos has retained its accreditation. This followed the  assessment of the laboratory by ANAB ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board of United States.

    The body announced that the management/system of the laboratory conforms to the quality management requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 in the following scope- HPLC, Dissolution, UV/VIS Spectroscopy, PH, Loss on Drying (LOD), water determination by Karl Fischer and Uniformity of Dosage Units (UDU).

    NAFDAC’s Acting Director-General Mrs Yetunde Oni said the laboratory would continue to offer  quality analytical testing services to customers to produce reliable and accurate results that meet international  quality standards (ISO/IEC 17025:2005).

    Its Chief Public Relations Officer (NAFDAC), Mrs. Christiana Obiazikwor, in a statement said NAFDAC appreciates the technical and financial support of USP-PQM and USAID in strengthening the quality systems of the laboratory and maintaining ISO/IEC 17025:2005 laboratory accreditation.

    She maintained that the Agency will continue to partner other development partners in implementing, building and sustaining the laboratory quality management system in Central Drug Control Laboratory and other NAFDAC Laboratories.

    Mrs Oni acknowledged the commitment and hard work of all staff of the laboratory whose tireless effort and dedication to duty resulted in the retaining of the laboratory accreditation status.

    In 2014, NAFDAC Central Drug Control Laboratory, which analysis about 80 per cent of medicines for use in the country, in efforts towards WHO Prequalification obtained the ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation.

    For the first time in Africa, two indigenous (NAFDAC) laboratories (the Mycotoxin and the Pesticide Residue laboratories) were accredited by the American Association Laboratory Accreditation (AALA) with ISO 17025 accreditation. This will significantly boost international acceptance of country’s export of value-added food products and foreign exchange earnings. In addition, two other laboratories, Food Compliance and HPLC Laboratories got ISO 17025 accreditation from the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation just as the earlier accredited ones received renewed accreditation.

  • Media accreditation opens for ITTF Nigerian Open

    Media accreditation opens for ITTF Nigerian Open

    The media accreditation for the 2016 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos World Tour tagged Nigerian Open begins across the country.

    Intending journalists and media houses willing to cover the five-day championship are expected to send their names and medium to nigeriattf@gmail.com. The deadline for registration has been fixed for May 10.

    According to the organisers – Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), this year’s tournament promises to be exciting as top players from Africa and Europe have confirmed their participation in the highest-paid Challenge series in the ITTF World Tour calendar.

    According to ITTF Director of Competition, Karl Jindrak, the Nigerian Open is one of the Challenge Series tournaments in the ITTF calendar, and it holds on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    Participants will jostle for $46,000 (N13.8m) this year while defending champion, Egypt’s Omar Assar will be making a return to Lagos after the disappointing defeat he suffered against Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup in Khartoum, Sudan.

    Also, other top players from Egypt who have been part of the championship in the last three years are expected to return to Lagos in their bid to sweep the prize money.

    Six events have been listed by the world table tennis ruling body and they are singles (men and women); doubles (men and women) as well as U-21 boys and girls.

    There are indications that top players from Europe and Asia will be gracing this year’s tournament as part of their efforts to garner world ranking points as well as make it to the end-of-the-year ITTF World Tour Finals.

    According to the prospectus for the tournament, any player entering for the tournament will agree to abide by all ITTF rules and by the rules and regulations of the Organising Committee.

  • Accreditation by extortion?

    Accreditation by extortion?

    • Charges of bribery against the NUC should be investigated

    Recent accusations that the accreditation of university programmes carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC) is riddled with corrupt practices are a troubling reminder of the depths to which tertiary education in Nigeria has sunk and the urgent measures required to redeem it.

    The allegation was made by Professor Oyewale Tomori, President of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences (NAS), at a Pre-Convocation Lecture he delivered at the University of Abuja on February 26. Tomori deplored what he considered to be the NUC’s apparent indifference to purported corruption in accreditation exercises. The commission, he claimed, often responded to such accusations by pointing out that those who gave and took such bribes were colleagues of those making the allegations.

    In addition to being head of Nigeria’s foremost scientific learned body, Professor Tomori was Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University for seven years, and is a distinguished scholar in his own right. His allegations therefore cannot be taken with a pinch of salt. Indeed, in the same lecture, he regaled his audience with his own experiences as vice-chancellor, when he was compelled by the NUC to pay far more than he should have for an accreditation team which visited his institution.

    There is little doubt of the existence of university-based corruption. It is evident in admissions racketeering, the sale of handouts and other educational materials, payments for marks in cash or in kind, widespread examination malpractice and other vices.

    The NUC’s involvement in university-related corrupt practices is another matter entirely. As regulator of the Nigerian university system, the commission’s influence for good or bad far outweighs that of any other stakeholder. Accreditation exercises tainted by corruption are capable of undermining the entire tertiary education system, and by extension, the larger society. A medical sciences programme which gets unmerited accreditation, for instance, is very likely to unleash poorly-trained medical professionals on an unsuspecting population.

    Professor Tomori spoke of universities temporarily hiring academics solely for the purpose of meeting the required staff-student and staff-mix ratios during accreditation exercises. He referred to members of accreditation teams receiving bribes from university administrations in order to ensure that they scaled through the accreditation process.

    These are serious charges, and they should be backed up by concrete evidence. Which universities paid bribes to members of accreditation teams? When were the bribes received? Which members of the accreditation teams received them? Can the inevitable disconnect between accreditation “success” and objective realities on the ground be spelt out in detail for particular university programmes in specific universities?

    Such evidence should be put together with the scientific rigour and precision that NAS is known for, and passed on to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action. The Buhari administration has shown that it will not hesitate to prosecute acts of corruption, regardless of whom the culprits may be; it is for NAS and Tomori to provide it with the means to do so.

    As for the NUC, it must demonstrate greater awareness of its duties as regulator. If it cannot guarantee that its accreditation and other quality-control measures are carried out transparently, efficiently and objectively, it is useless. Accreditation exercises are not opportunities for favoured academics to make money, or for undeserving institutions to obtain plaudits that they clearly do not merit. They are meant to ensure that universities attain and maintain the minimum standards expected of them, and therefore they should not be compromised under any circumstances whatsoever.