The Nationwide Universities Fee (NUC) has known as for a assessment of its Institution Act to reinforce its operational effectivity and tackle urgent challenges in Nigeria’s increased training sector.
The fee’s Government Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu made this enchantment through the fee’s 2025 funds protection earlier than the Senate Committee on Tertiary Establishments and TetFund, chaired by Sen. Muntari Dandutse.
Ribadu highlighted the necessity for legislative updates, stating that the present NUC Act, final revised in 2004, doesn’t align with the evolving panorama of college training in Nigeria.
“The panorama has modified, but the Act of 2004 stays the identical. For us to carry out our duties successfully, it’s crucial that we assessment the NUC Act. We have already got a draft in place and search your help to maneuver it ahead,” Ribadu said.
Ribadu outlined a number of challenges undermining the supply of high quality training in Nigeria, with insufficient funding being a recurring concern.
“Regardless of constant federal authorities help, together with budgetary allocations and TetFund interventions, funding stays an insurmountable problem,” he mentioned.He additional famous infrastructure deficits, restricted entry to increased training, and poor services for educating, studying, and analysis.
Vice-Chancellor of Bayero College Kano (BUK), Prof. Sagir Abbas corroborated Ribadu’s considerations.
He lamented that universities are struggling to handle overhead prices like electrical energy and salaries, with present allocations barely assembly 2% of operational wants.
“Analysis isn’t captured within the nationwide funds. Universities are left to fend for themselves in educating, analysis, and operational administration. It is a evident hole in our nationwide improvement technique,” Abbas emphasised.
Chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, acknowledged the funding challenges however burdened the significance of integrating internally generated income (IGR) into the monetary methods of universities.
“As we deliberate on the 2025 funds, the NUC should show a transparent and sustainable plan for leveraging IGR. This may improve the competitiveness of our universities whereas easing the strain on public assets,” Dandutse mentioned.
