NUC Shuts Down 50 Fake Universities

THE number of fake universities operating in the country has risen from 44 to 51, National Universities Commission (NUC) has alerted.

According to the weekly news bulletin of NUC, eight of the universities had been taken to court, while some are currently undergoing investigations.

The eight illegal universities, either in court or currently being investigated, according to the Executive Secretary Julius Okojie, are National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Oturkpo, Benue State and Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu State.

Others are Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State; West Coast University, Umuahia, Abia State; St. Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; Volta University College, Aba, Abia State as well as illegal satellite campuses of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State.

The list of the remaining illegal universities include, Christian of Charity American University, Science and Technology, Okpor Anambra State, University of Industry, Yaba, University of Applied Science and Management; Blacksmith University Awka, Volta University College, Royal University, Abakaliki, Atlanta University, Kogi, and Sunday Adokpela University, Oturkpo.

Others are United Christian University, Imo State, United Nigerian University College, Anambra, Samuel Ahmadu University, Benue, St Augustine University of Technology, Jos International, University, Kano and Lagos Columbus, Tiu International University, Pebbles University, London External Studies, Pilgrims University, Lobi Business School,Benue, West African Christian University, and Bolta University College, Aba.

Other fake university according to NUC include JBC Seminary Inc, Kaduna, Westland University, Kwara, EC Council University, Ikeja, Atlas University Akwa Ibom, Coocept College/University, Ilorin, Halifat Gateway University, Ikeja, Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja, Acada University, Oyo State, Fifom University Imo State, Houdegbe North American University, Atlantic International University, Okija, and Open International University, Akure.

Also identified among the illegal universities are Middle Belt University, Oturkpo, Leeway University, Ughelli, Metro University Bwari, Abuja, Southend University River State, Olympic University, Nsukka, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Abuja, Temple University, Abuja, Irish University, Business School, London, Nigeria and National University Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Okojie, told The Moment that the universities were closed down for lack of minimum Academic Standards and the violation of Universities Act CAP E3, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The NUC said the reason for going to court was to ensure the prosecution of the proprietors of these universities, adding that the public had been warned against patronising the institutions.

Okojie warned that no certificate received from any of these institutions would be recognised for either employment or otherwise.

‘We do not call them degree awarding institutions, we call them degree mills and we have been warning the public against patronising them because whoever does that does is at his or her own risk’, he said.

Okojie disclosed that the list was not exhaustive, adding that the proprietors of these illegal universities, had continued to operate underground, deceiving the ignorant citizens and collecting their hard earned money.

The Guardian