Many parents and secondary school-leavers in desperation to acquire higher education are falling headlong into the trap of fraudsters operating illegal universities in Nigeria. In this report SAMSON BENJAMIN examines the fate of students and graduates of some of these institutions which were, recently, closed down by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently released the list of 58 illegal universities in Nigeria.
According to NUC, the body saddled with the responsibility of granting approval for all academic programmes run in the nation’s universities and granting approval for the establishment of all higher educational institutions offering degree programmes, the affected institutions were yet to be licensed by the federal government.
The commission said the universities have been shut down for violating the national minimum standard for education.
A bulletin from the office of the NUC executive secretary, listed the alleged illegal universities across the country.
The illegal universities are: Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Royal University, Izhia, Ebonyi state; Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi state; 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; and UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers state or any of its other campuses.
Also blacklisted are Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Pleateu state or any of its other campuses; the International University, Missouri USA, Kano and Lagos studies centres or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria; 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 illegal campus and Western University, Esie Kwara state or any of its campuses in Nigeria, St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria and EC-Council USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
Also listed are Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria, Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria, Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria, Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria, Acada University, Akinlalu Oyo state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria, Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria, Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria, Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra state, Open International University, Akure, Middle Belt University (North Central University) Otukpo, Lead Way 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, Abuja and Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria
Also declared illegal are National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa state, University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu road, Lagos, University of Education, Wenneba Ghana operating anywhere in Nigeria, Cape Coast University, Ghana operating in Nigeria, African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic operating anywhere in Nigeria, Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Oweri study centre, Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, 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, Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger state, West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria operating anywhere in Nigeria and Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos.
The commission’s axe is also dangling on eight other universities being probed for allegedly illegally running degree programmes.
The eight universities being probed for illegally running degree programmes are the National Universities of Nigeria, Keffi, Nassarawa state, North-central University, Otukpo, Benue state, Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia state, West Coast University, Umuahia, Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti state, Volta University College, Aba, Abia state and illegal satellite campuses of the Edo state-owned Ambrose Alli University.
Fidelis Oyakhilome, a former NUC consultant said there are two broad categories of unrecognised institutions in Nigeria.
He said: “First, there is a preponderance of satellite or offshore campuses whose parent bodies are mostly based in the US, Canada and UK. The second comprises private institutions established by rich individuals and religious organisations. They conduct their own admission examinations outside those organised by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for universities accredited by NUC.
“Some of these institutions have no qualified lecturers, lacked conducive learning and teaching environment and often conduct activities in makeshift buildings which are most often than not , contraption hurriedly put in place to fool gullible candidates and parents” .
A source at the NUC told Blueprint Weekend that, “the proprietors of many of these illegal universities recruit influential individuals and politicians into their governing councils with the hope that they will help the institutions gained accreditation through the back door.”
Why it persists
Prof. Ikechukwu Anya told our correspondent that the operation of illegal universities thrives principally because of weak law enforcement by relevant institutions which have brought the entire system into disrepute.
He said: “In a 2013 newsletter, the NUC cautioned applicants and the public that there were 44 unapproved universities in the country. In spite of this, the sham did not wane.
“Two years after, the regulator warned again that it had closed down 57 black-market universities. In 2016, it also discovered 37 universities running illegal operations. And in 2019, we are talking about the same issue. This is deplorable.
“This is about crime and punishment. Apart from shutting down these illegal schools, the NUC should tackle the rot by commencing the prosecution of owners or operators of such schools. It is highly likely that the prosecution of these offenders could deter those who consistently engage in the misconduct.”
Similarly, the Executive-Director of Human Development Initiative (HDI) Eddie Arumah said, “there are many questions begging for answers. What type of ‘investigations’ is the NUC conducting? Universities are not day care centres. How did these ‘Degree Mills’ start off? Is there a ‘cabal’ behind these ‘fake universities’? “Are there no regulations/requirements before universities are accredited? Did the NUC accredit the universities it is investigating,” he queried.
Fate of students and graduates
In the wake of this revelation by NUC, the academic aspiration and careers of many have been shattered. Consequently, the question in the mind of stakeholders is: what is the fate of students and graduates of the affected institutions?
The commission’s Director of Information and Public Relations Ibrahim Yakasai warned against patronizing the affected institutions as certificates obtained from them would not be recognized for the purposes of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), employment and further studies.
He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronizes or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk. Relevant law enforcement agencies have been informed for necessary action. We would not relent in our effort to shut every illegal institution in the country.
“We would continue publishing the lists so that the illegal universities don’t resurface. If we stop publishing their names, they could move to other part of the country and start operating because at some point, they were moving.
“We have been producing the editorial for so many years. We update it as we get information across the country that some institutions are operating illegally. We go there and once they know we are coming, they run away.”
Why they thrive
The reason for the proliferation of illegal universities in Nigeria has been attributed to the inability of public higher institutions to meet students demand. Every year, millions of Nigerian students are disappointed by their failure to gained admission into the university, sometimes not because they did not study hard enough for entrance examination, instead, in many cases; it is because there is simply no enough room for all of them.
Statistics from JAMB revealed that Nigeria has 165 universities, 43 owned by the federal government, 47 by state governments and 75 owned by private organizations and individuals. The statistics further revealed that combined, their carrying capacity is an average of 500,000, while an estimated 1.5 million candidates apply for admission annually. This imposes enormous pressure on the system.
Similarly, data from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and JAMB shows that between 2010 and 2017, of the over 13 million applicants that sought entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions, only 26% gained admission.
“During the 1970s, the government invested massively in primary and secondary schools across the country. But there was little investment in tertiary education to cater for the growing number of qualified school leavers.
“Since certificate from higher education in Nigeria is like a meal ticket, desperate parents will send their kids to any university. This is the basic reason for the proliferation of offshore universities,” said Stephen Azika, guidance and counselling teacher.
Way out
Dr Yakubu Abba of Kogi state University told Blueprint Weekend that “to stamp out these dubious institutions, the NUC and public agencies like the National Orientation Agency should periodically sensitize the public on the existence of illegal universities, how to identify them and the importance of attending only approved institutions”.
“The list of fake, unapproved and unregistered institutions should be published regularly to warn prospective victims that certificates or degrees issued by them are nothing but a piece of paper. Concerned state authorities should also take appropriate actions against them,” he added.
On his part, Azika advised students and their guardians to be careful in selecting university of their choice so as not to be deceived by these unscrupulous manipulators.
“In an age of information technology, in which every reputable institution can be accessed at the touch of a button, every candidate should be careful not to be fleeced.
“Before applying to any university, polytechnic or college of education, applicants should vet the authenticity of institutions through the websites of the NUC, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and other regulators’ websites. Undertaking this painstaking exercise will save them the regret in the future,” he said.
