Nigerian Varsities To Remain Close Indefinitely

The Federal Government has declared that tertiary institutions would remain under lock indefinitely to protect students and lecturers from contracting coronavirus in the country.

It said that the continued closure was due to indices emanating from various parts of the country which shows that Nigeria was yet to flattened coronavirus curve and cannot relax measures introduced to curb community transmission of the disease.

According to the government, the school would only be reopened when coronavirus cases subside and everyone visiting the school premises could be guaranteed safety of their health.

The declaration by the apex government was said to have dashed the hopes of students and lecturers awaiting a date for reopening of tertiary institutions in the country.

As gathered, the students and lecturers were said to have wished that the government reopen the varsities for commencement of physical learning after approving resumption of academic activities in secondary schools and markets in the country.

Although the students were said to have commenced online learning after sudden closure of schools, however, concerns raised by the lecturers were that conducting examination online could be difficult and requested the government to reopen the institutions for learning.

Announcing the government declaration on Thursday after a meeting with representatives of private tertiary institutions in the country, Minister of State for Education, Chekwuemeka Nwajiuba, said that the schools remain under lock until the cases in the country subsided.

Nwajiuba noted that the government wished that lockdown and other measures introduced to flatten coronavirus curve could be lifted completely but indices from states do not support it.

The minister hinted that after the meeting, the varsities representatives left with a conviction that the action of the government was not to prevent academic activities rather, to ensure safety of the students and their lecturers after reopening.

He said: “Today, I met with owners of private tertiary institutions in the country and during the meeting, they demanded that the schools be reopened since the government has approved reopening of markets that have more population than the schools in the country.

“And I told them that it was true that the markets have more population than the schools but I made them understand that it will be unwise to reopen the schools when we have not received any clean bill from the Presidential Task Force that the community transmission of the virus has subsided and cases in the country have reduced”.

Nigeria Universities to Reopen Soon- NUC

The Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (Academics), Dr Suleiman Ramon Yusuf, in Abuja on Tuesday said preparations were in top gear to reopen the nation’s universities after the forced closure due to COVID – 19 pandemic.

The commission said it was collating data on assessment of the level of preparedness by the various universities through their vice chancellors to determine if the universities were safe for resumption to both academic and non-academic activities.

Yusuf, stated these during a briefing to showcase the contributions of Nigerian universities to national response to COVID-19.

According to him, a total of 32 universities in the country were carrying out researches on solution to the dreaded coronavirus in the country.

Yusuf said that so far, a reasonable number of VCs had submitted their reports on the level of their readiness, saying once the process was concluded, it would make a statement either to direct universities to resume or otherwise.

He however regretted the expected resumption may be marred by strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities in public varsities.

Yusuf said, “However, efforts are on to look for a permanent solution to the incessant industrial action in universities.”

He noted that the pandemic had challenged knowledge system, which had proved inadequate and insufficiently robust enough to respond to the challenges.

He said, “Only few institutions have been able to utilize open and distance learning system to keep students engaged while the pandemic lasted and only few laboratories continued with research and development activities.

“Nonetheless, the few who engaged in research and innovation work have demonstrated the need for a well-funded and robustly organized national research and innovation system to catalyse the national response.”

NUC List 58 Fake Universities In Nigeria

The National Universities Commission, NUC, has warned the Operators of 58 fake universities carrying out illegal operations at the moment in Nigeria.

The commission also disclosed that it was investigating eight other universities for running illegal degree programs.

Check If your School is there …..

1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria

2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its other campuses

3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses

4. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

5. Blacksmith University, Akwa or any of its other campuses

6. Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

7. Royal University, Izhia, PO BOX 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses

8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi state or any of its other campuses

9. United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses

10. United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra State or any of its other campuses.

11. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses

12. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses

13. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Pleateu State or any of its other campuses

14. The International University, Missouri USA, Kano and Lagos studies centres or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

15. Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria

16. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria

17. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria

18. London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria

19. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria

20. Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria

21. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria

22. Bolta University College, Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria

23. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna illegal campus

24. Western University, Esie Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria

25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

26. EC-Council USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre

27. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

29. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria

30. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

31. Acada University, Akinlalu Oyo state or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

32. Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its other campuses in Nigeria

33. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria

34. Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra State

35. Open International University, Akure

36. Middle Belt University (North Central University) Otukpo

37. Lead Way University, Ugheli, Delta State

38. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja

39. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State

40. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State

41. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja

42. Temple University, Abuja

43. Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria

44. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State

45. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu road, Lagos.

46. University of Education, Wenneba Ghana operating anywhere in Nigeria

47. Cape Coast University, Ghana operating in Nigeria

48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic operating anywhere in Nigeria

49. Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Oweri study centre

50. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos

51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko campus)

52. Career Light Resources centre, Jos.

53. University of West Africa, Kwali Abuja, FCT

54. Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom State

55. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna

56. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State

57. West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria operating anywhere in Nigeria

58.Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, 165 Isolo road, Cele bus stop, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos

The commission also said eight universities are currently undergoing investigation for illegally running degree programs.

The eight universities are:

1) National Universities of Nigeria, Keffi , Nassarawa State.

2) North Central University, Otukpo, Benue state.

3) Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University.

4) Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia state.

5) West Coast University, Umuahia.

6) Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti state.

7) Volta University College, Aba, Abia state.

8) Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University.

It warned:“For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk. ”

According to NUC, appropriate law enforcement agencies have been informed for necessary action against the universities.