The National Universities Commission (NUC) has called for a revision of its Establishment Act to improve its operational capacity and address critical issues facing Nigeria’s higher education system.
This appeal was made by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, during the commission’s 2025 budget defense session with the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, led by Sen. Muntari Dandutse.
Prof. Ribadu emphasised the necessity of legislative updates, highlighting that the current NUC Act, last amended in 2004, no longer reflects the changing dynamics of university education in Nigeria. He stated that while the education landscape has evolved significantly, the existing legislation remains outdated. To address this, the commission has prepared a draft for the Act’s review and seeks legislative support to advance the process.
Ribadu also identified several challenges hindering the provision of quality education, with inadequate funding being a persistent problem. Despite government support through budget allocations and TetFund interventions, financial constraints remain a major obstacle. He also pointed to deficiencies in infrastructure, restricted access to higher education, and inadequate facilities for teaching, learning, and research.
Remarks From Some Officials
Supporting these concerns, Prof. Sagir Abbas, Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), noted that universities are struggling to cover operational costs, including electricity and staff salaries, with current funding only addressing about 2% of their needs.
He further highlighted the absence of dedicated funding for research in the national budget, leaving universities to independently manage teaching, research, and other operations. This, he argued, represents a significant shortfall in the country’s developmental planning.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by universities but emphasised the need to incorporate internally generated revenue (IGR) into their funding strategies.
As discussions on the 2025 budget progress, Dandutse stated that the NUC must present a clear and sustainable framework for utilising IGR. This approach, he noted, would boost the competitiveness of universities across the country while reducing the reliance on public funds.
