The Role Of The National Universities Commission (Nuc) In The Development Of University Education In Nigeria: Reflections And Projections
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.23.938Keywords:
National Universities Commission, Funding, Satellite Campuses, University autonomy, Academic freedom.Abstract
Just about two years after Nigeria’s independence, the National University Commission (NUC) was established as an advisory agency on higher education in the cabinet office of the First Republic of Nigeria. The NUC was charged with the responsibility of advising government on financial needs of the universities and to handle the planning of a balanced and coordinated development of university education in Nigeria. These functions were further expanded with the enactment of Decree No. 1 of 1974 that transformed NUC from advisory capacity to a statutory body. This was an outcome of the centralization of university education in the country, during which the Federal Government took over all the then existing regional universities in the country. The expansion of university education in Nigeria reached its nadir in recent time with the efforts by governments, the private sector and faith based organizations establishing new universities and expanding the existing ones. This development brought with it enormous responsibilities and challenges. How the NUC has been able to cope with its new status and its responsibilities is the prime focus of this paper. The paper examines the Nigerian University system before the formation of NUC. It discusses the establishment and role of NUC and evaluates its impact on university education in the country. The paper highlights the challenges that have constrained the operations of the Commission. It concludes by suggesting recommendations that might be of help to overcome the identified challenges and further enhance the development of university education in Nigeria.
References
Aliyu, Yahaya (1994), “Towards Effective Decision_making in the University System”, A Keynote Address by Ambassador Yahaya Aliyu, Former NUC Executive Secretary, 12 September, 1994.
Lawal, M.B. (2008), a Handbook on History of Education in Nigeria, Lagos: Joytal Printing Press.
Fafunwa, A. Babs (1971), A History of Nigerian Higher Education, Lagos: Macmillan & Co. (Nigeria).
Fafunwa, A.BL (1974), History of Education in Nigeria, London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Ajayi, J.F.A.. & Tamuno, T.N.L (eds) (1973), The University of Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
NUC (1994), National University Commission Annual Report
Ajayi, J.F. Ade (2002), Paths to the Sustainability of Higher Education in Nigeria, Abuja, Social Science Academy of Nigeria.
Omoregie, P.O. (1994), “University Funding – Reflections on Budgeting Process: University Autonomy and Accountability, University Governance in Nigeria”, Proceedings of the 8th General Assembly of the Social Science Council of Nigeria (SSCN), 1993, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ogonor, D.O. (1994), cited in University Governance in Nigeria: Proceedings of the 8th General Assembly of the SSCN, Ibadan.
Ajayi, T. (1993), “Planning and Administering Higher Education in Nigeria” in Ajayi, Taiwo and Alani, R.A. (eds), Contemporary Issues in Nigerian Education, Ijebu_Ode: Triumph Books Publishers.
Tamuno, T.N. & Atanda, J.A. (eds), (1989), Panel on Nigeria Since Independence History Project: Nigeria Since Independence: The First Twenty Five Years, Education Vol. III, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) Plc. of Higher Learning in Nigeria in the Newsletter of the Social Science Academy of Nigeria (SSAN) Vol. 2, No. 2, September, 1999.
Ajayi, K. (2001), “The Crisis Child of Our Time and the Challenges of Management”, An Inaugural Lecture, Ago_Iwoye: Ogun State University.
NUC (1999), University System News: A Quarterly Publication of the Nigerian University Commission, Abuja: Vol. 9, No. 3, 1999.
Jega, A. (1993), “Intellectuals and Academics in the Struggle for Democracy in Nigeria” Conference on the Expansion of Democratic Space, Lagos.
Jega, A. (1994), “Nigerian Universities and Academic Staff Under Military Rule”, Paper Presented at the 37th African Studies Association (ASA) Annual Meeting, Toronto, November, 1994.
Obi, Cyril (2000), “Reflections on the Funding of Social Science Research in Nigeria”, The Nigerian Social Scientist,
Adeniji, A.O. (1996), “Obstacles and Diversions in the Growth of a University: The Lagos State University Example, 1984 – 1994” in Ogunbiyi, I.A. & Lawal, Kunle (eds), A History of the Lagos State University, 1984_1994, Lagos: Lagos State University Press.
Akinkugbe, O.O. (2001), “The Piper, the Tune and University Autonomy” in the Newsletter of the Social Science Academy of Nigeria, Vol. 4, No. 1.
Vaught, B. (1991), Higher Education, Resources and Finance, London: McGraw Hill,
Adeoti,'E.O.'(2015).'The'role'of'the'National'Universities'Commission'(Nuc)'in'the'Development'of'University'Education'in'Nigeria:'Reflections'and' Daily Independent (Lagos) 29 May, 2006
Daily Sun (Lagos) 29 march, 2006
The New Nigerian (Kaduna), 20 November, 1992
The Punch (Lagos) 18 May, 2000
Newswatch (Lagos) 28 March, 1988
Newswatch (Lagos) 12 April, 1990
The Nigerian Tribune, (Ibadan) 16 January, 2001
Nigerian Tribune. (Ibadan) 10 May, 2001.
Nigerian Tribune. (Ibadan) 10 Sept., 2013.
Nigerian Tribune. (Ibadan) 17 October, 2013.
This Day (Lagos) 24 March, 2006
This Day (Lagos) Tuesday, 14 November, 2006
The Guardian, (Lagos)31 October, 2013
The Comet (Lagos) 9 June, 2005
The Comet (Lagos) 21 October, 2005
