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Tag: Prof. Abubakar Rasheed

  • Only 30 per cent UTME candidates ‘ll be admitted this year, says NUC

    Only 30 per cent UTME candidates ‘ll be admitted this year, says NUC

    OWING to limited spaces in the universities, only 30 per cent out of the 1.7 million candidates who wrote the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) will be admitted this year, National Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary Prof. Abubakar Rasheed has said.

    Prof. Rasheed spoke at a one-day public hearing on the regulatory conflict between JAMB and universities in offering admission in Nigeria.

    The hearing was organised by Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on Tuesday.

    The NUC boss said the limited spaces in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions have made admission crisis inevitable.

    According to Rasheed, the only way to avert admission crisis is to either expand access or create more universities to accommodate students.

    “The crisis of admission in this country is inevitable. Unless we expand spaces, we shall continue to have admission crisis in this country.

    “Every exam has its own problem. We believe JAMB exam is credible and all of us operating in the system respect the results of JAMB exam,” he said.

    JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said there was no conflict between JAMB and universities.

    Prof. Oloyede said most of the candidates, who sit for its examination annually do not have the required qualification to gain admission.

    He said: “It is not true that we have 1.7 million candidates that are ready to go into the Nigerian university system. Of the 1.7 million that took the exam, I can say conveniently that not more than 30 per cent of them are not prepared for admission; they are just trying. They do not have the five O’Level required to go into the university.

    “Secondly, let me also let us realise that 10 per cent of the 1.7 million that we see or 1.9 million as the case may be, they are not what can be categorised as belonging to the net enrolment ratio for entering tertiary education. They belong to the gross enrolment ratio.

    “Eighty per cent of candidates sitting at the point of sitting do not have the O’Level at all. They are awaiting results. So, when we are building our theories and analysis, we need to be very cautious.

    “If you score 400 over 400 if you do not have the five O’Level, you cannot come into the university. The basic qualification is the five O’Level.”

  • NUC: Only 30 per cent UTME candidates will be admitted this year

    NUC: Only 30 per cent UTME candidates will be admitted this year

    As a result of the limited spaces in tertiary institutions, only 30 per cent out of the 1.7 million candidates who wrote the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) will be admitted this year, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, has said.

    Prof. Rasheed said this at a one day public hearing on the regulatory conflict between JAMB and universities in offering admission in Nigeria.

    The hearing was organized by Senate committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on Tuesday.

    The NUC boss said the limited spaces in tertiary institutions have made admission crisis inevitable in Nigeria.

    According to him, the only way to avert admission crisis in the country is to either expand access or create more universities to accommodate students.

    “The crisis of admission in this country inevitable. Unless we expand spaces we shall continue to have admission crisis in this country.

    “Every exam has its own problem. We believe JAMB exam is credible and all of us operating in the system respect the results of JAMB exam,” he said.

    JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said there was no conflict between JAMB and universities.

    Prof. Oloyede said most of the candidates who sit for its examination annually do not have the required qualification to gain admission.

    He said: “It is not true that we have 1.7 million candidates that are ready to go into the Nigerian university system. Of the 1.7 million that took the exam I can say conveniently that not more than 30 per cent of them are not prepared for admission, they are just trying. They do not have the five O level required to go into the university.

    “Secondly, let me also let us realize that 10 per cent of the 1.7 million that we see or 1.9 as the case may be they are not what can be categorized as belong to the net enrolment ratio for entering tertiary education. They belong to the gross enrolment ratio.

    “80 per cent of candidates sitting at the point of sitting do not have the O level at all. They are awaiting results. So when we are building our theories and analysis, we need to be very cautious.

    “If you score 400 over 400 if you do not have the five O level you cannot come into the university. The basic qualification is the five O level.”

     

     

  • NUC begins curricula reform

    The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Abubakar Rasheed, says the commission has commenced the reformation of the curricula of the Nigerian University System (NUS).

    He said there was need to design Nigeria’s curricula to meet the present and future challenges to better equip graduates and prepare them to fit into future roles capable of contributing significantly to national development and global competitiveness.

    Speaking at the opening of a week-long training on Professional Development Course for Leaders of Teaching and Learning in Nigerian Universities organised by the NUC and the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, in Abuja, he said the reforms would prepare university graduates for future jobs.

    He said: “As part of concerted efforts at continuous improvement in the quality of university education in Nigeria, the commission has already triggered the process of curricular reforms in the Nigeria University System, cognizant of the very dynamic nature of the frontier of knowledge especially in today’s technology driven knowledgeable economy.

    “The curricular reforms are also driven by the commission’s awareness of the complexity of the skill sets that will be required of graduates of our universities, some of whom may be expected to function at jobs that may not be in existence.

    “It is incontrovertible that a critical success factor in the design and implementation of such contemporary and equally futuristic curricula is the availability of a critical mass of academics in Nigerian universities who have not only the cutting-edge content, subject matter knowledge, but who also possess up-to-date pedagogical skills and competencies  to facilitate the realisation of the anticipated learning outcomes and desirable student learning achievements.”

    Represented by the Research, Innovation and Information Technology Director, Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf, Rasheed said the training was to sharpen the dons’ skills to meet the contemporary challenges.

    He said: “Our belief is that if we organise periodical professional development courses for our lecturers in modular formats, we will achieve the same objective of quality. This quality will enable us to have better university graduates.

    “This partnership with the University of Sussex will ensure a quality hands-on training of our lecturers. It is also based on train-the-trainers as the delegates will return to their institutions to spread their skills.”

    The Pro-Chancellor for Research, University of Sussex, Prof Michael Davies, said the training would expose the lecturers to “modern educational skills and facilities”, which the university was known for.

    The Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the Federal Government would continue to support initiatives to enhance quality university education in the country.

    The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sunny Echono, said the ministry would continue to support efforts aimed at honing the pedagogic skills of lecturers.

    He said: “We will continue to support initiatives which seek to enhance quality education in Nigeria.

    “All the efforts aimed at honing the pedagogic skills of our lecturers will receive unconditional support of the ministry.

    “I understand that this training will cover up-to-date and informed approaches to meet the contemporary competitive educational terrain.”

    The one-week training had “Transformative Higher Education Pedagogy and Practice,” as its theme.

     

  • FG pledges to continue to support quality education

    FG pledges to continue to support quality education

    Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has said the Federal Government would continue to support initiatives to enhance quality university education in the country.

    The minister said this at a workshop on Professional Development Course for Leaders of Teaching and Learning in Nigerian Universities organized by the National Universities Commission and University of Sussex, United Kingdom in Abuja.

    The one-week training has “Transformative Higher Education Pedagogy and Practice,” as its theme.

    Adamu, who was represented by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sunny Echono, said the ministry would continue to support efforts aimed at honing the pedagogic skills of lecturers.

    He said: “We will continue to support initiatives which seek to enhance quality education in Nigeria.

    “All the efforts aimed at honing the pedagogic skills of our lecturers will receive unconditional support of the ministry.

    “I understand that this training will cover up-to-date and informed approaches to meet the contemporary competitive educational terrain.”

    NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, said the commission has commenced the process of reforming the curricula of the Nigerian University System (NUS).

    He there was need to design Nigeria’s curricula to meet the present and future challenges in order to better equip graduates and prepare them to fit into future roles capable of contributing significantly to national development and global competitiveness.

    Prof. Rasheed said: “As part of concerted efforts at continuous improvement in the quality of university education in Nigeria, the commission has already triggered the process of curricular reforms in the Nigeria University System, cognizant of the very dynamic nature of the frontier of knowledge especially in today’s technology driven knowledgeable economy.

    “The curricular reforms are also driven by the commission’s awareness of the complexity of the skill sets that will be required of graduates of our universities some of whom may be expected to function at jobs that may not be in existence today.

    “It is incontrovertible that a critical success factor in the design and implementation of such contemporary and equally futuristic curricula, is the availability of a critical mass of academics in Nigerian universities who have not only the cutting edge content, subject matter knowledge, but who also possess up to date pedagogical skills and competencies in order to facilitate the realization of the anticipated learning outcomes and desirable student learning achievements.”

    Represented by the Director Research, Innovation and Information Technology, Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf, Rasheed, said the training was to sharpen the dons’ skills to meet the contemporary challenges.

    He said, “Our belief is that if we organize periodical professional development courses for our lecturers in modular formats, we will achieve the same objective of quality. This quality will enable us to have better university graduates.

    “This partnership with the University of Sussex will ensure a quality hands-on training of our lecturers. It is also based on train-the-trainers as the delegates will return to their institutions to spread their skills.”

    The Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Sussex, Prof Michael Davies, said the training would expose the lecturers to “modern educational skills and facilities” which the university was known for.

  • NUC warn VCs against activities of fraudsters

    NUC warn VCs against activities of fraudsters

    The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, on Thursday warned Vice-chancellors of Nigeria Universities to avoid making any payment into any account not recognized by the Federal Government.

    The NUC boss said some persons were using the name of the commission to defraud some vice chancellors for the accreditation of programmes in their universities.

    He gave the warning at a workshop organized for Directors of Academic Planning of Nigerian Universities, at the headquarters of the commission yesterday in Abuja.

    Prof. Rasheed said a vice chancellor in one of Nigeria’s university recently made payment of N7 million into the account of fraudsters using the name of the commission.

    He added that the NUC would not request for payment into any personal account except the one operated by the Central Bank of Nigeria through the TSA-Remita account.

    “Any form of request from anybody purported to be from NUC asking you to make any payment in cash or through transfer to anybody for any function of NUC, it is 419 don’t do it. If it is not a remita-CBN account and ask exactly for what.

    “It baffles me how many universities get swindled. Anytime a vice chancellor calls me to say somebody called him from NUC and say somebody asked him to make payment here and there, I say why don’t you ask director of academic planning?

    “NUC does not compel any university in Nigeria, public or private, to make any payment for any purpose in any account order than the CBN, TSA remita account.

    “A vice chancellor recently called and say he paid 7 million into a consultant account. I said you are the biggest fool. Is it CBN account? Is it TSA Remita account?

    The executive secretary also said the commission would soon embark on a comprehensive review of curricula programmes in universities.

    “The NUC this year will start a comprehensive review of curricula of our programmes. You are all aware of the few changes we have brought in the Minimum Academic standards into new documents to be called Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS).

    “The commission has increased the numbers of academic disciplines in Nigeria universities through the splitting of medicine or medical discipline into basic medical sciences and clinical sciences,” he added.

     

  • NUC approves Moshood Abiola University

    NUC approves Moshood Abiola University

    The National Universities Commission on Monday granted approval for the upgrading of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUTECH) by the Ogun state government.

    The approval brings the number of universities owned by the state to three.

    Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, granted the approval when a delegation of the state government led by the Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, visited the commission in Abuja.

    He said the new university brings the number of state-owned universities in the country to 45 and 85 public university.

    Prof. Rasheed added that the approval had already been communicated to relevant authorities.

    The NUC boss said: “I, on behalf of the NUC, write that with effect from Monday, July 3, the MAUTECH has been recognized as the 45th state university in Nigeria and also the 85th public university.

    “This university is also the 153rd in the country. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the National Youths Service Corps are being informed of the establishment of the MAUTECH, Abeokuta.

    “We need to invest more in education, we are particularly happy that Moshood Abiola University of (Science and Technology) is taking off from the current polytechnic, but it will not kill it. The polytechnic will resurrect somewhere and it will come back.”

    According to him, the number of universities (private and public) in the state has help positioned the state as the education capital of black Africa, expressing confidence that the new university would live up to expectations.

    Prof. Rasheed, who lauded the efforts of the governor in the development of the education sector, added that Nigeria could only survive when emphasis is laid on knowledge resources instead of mineral resources.

    The governor, who spoke earlier, said the state would establish a new polytechnic at Ipokia to replace Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.

    He added that the establishment of the new university would help address the various challenges facing Nigeria, especially in the area of technology advancement and food security.

    “Let me say this university is a product of evolution, it will be built on the solid foundation of one the Nigerians leading polytechnics; the Moshhood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.

    “Talking about quality, the way to go is to be ready to put some money down. And that is what we are doing. We are also going to get the best brains to work in the university. If you look at the caliber of the academics in the committee that facilitated the upgrading of that polytechnic, you will be sure that we want to ensure quality.

    “We have also said that the polytechnic will be rebuilt in Ipokia area of Ogun State and we have begun work on that already,” the governor said.

     

     

  • NUC grants provisional license to eight private universities 

    NUC grants provisional license to eight private universities 

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Tuesday granted provisional licenses to the eight newly approved private universities to run degree programmes.

    Executive Secretary (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed presented the certificates to representatives of the eight universities at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

    He warned proprietors of the universities against subjecting their academic staff to degrading treatment and all forms of practices inimical to democratic freedom.

    All but one of the newly licensed universities is located in the southern part of the country, bringing the total number of universities in the country to 152.

    The ES said the NUC issued provisional licences to the universities after a rigorous assessment exercise, adding that the commission was fully satisfied of the facilities on ground in terms of human and material resources.

    He however warned that what have been issued are provisional licenses which may be withdrawn in the event of poor performance or breach of standards.

    “What is being issued today is a provisional license with a lifespan of three years. In line with global best practice, the new universities would be mentored by older ones for the next couple of years.

    “The NUC will assist these eight universities to commence new programmes to make them different in some areas from the older ones.

    “Dictatorship in the running of a university would not be tolerated and this you must avoid at all cost,” he said.

    In his address, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, said Nigeria needs more universities to increase access to tertiary education.

    According to him, the 152 universities in the country today are grossly inadequate to meet the demands of tertiary education.

    “With these 8, it means the ratio of the universities in relation to population is 1 for 23 million people, a challenge that must be addressed, considering the huge population of Nigeria conservatively put at 170 million today,” he said.

    Earlier in his remarks, Chairman, Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU), Prof. Akaneren Essien congratulated the new institutions for scaling the difficult hurdle involved in issuance of provisional licenses, noting that all eight universities are ready for students to commence their academic activities.

    According to him, the process of getting the license took between two to fourteen years, recalling with pain the death of some SCOPU members in the 2012 Dana plane crash while on assessment of four of the universities even as he prayed God to grant their souls eternal rest in peace.

    The newly licensed private universities are Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos State (owned by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry); Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State (owned by Clitter House Nigeria Limited); Clifford University, Owerrinta, Abia State (owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church); Coal City University, Enugu, Enugu State (owned by ATCOICOE Nigeria Limited).

    Others are Crown-Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara State (owned by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited); Dominican University, Ibadan, Oyo State (owned by the Order of Preachers, Nigeria, Dominican Community; Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State (owned the Kola Daisi Foundation); and Legacy University, Okija, Anambra State (owned by the Good Idea Education Foundation).