The National Universities Commission (NUC) has lifted the embargo on the establishment and operation of foreign universities in Nigeria, opening the door to increased foreign direct investment in the education sector.
The NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, disclosed this at the weekend during the 10th convocation ceremony of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State. He said the decision was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s university system and making it more globally competitive.
Professor Ribadu, who was represented at the event by Offor Chukwuemeka, explained that the policy shift would enable structured partnerships between Nigerian and foreign institutions under six approved models: franchise, branch campus, twinning or articulation programmes, open and distance learning, acquisition, and teaching institutions.
He added that the Commission had introduced a Code of Governance for private universities to ensure uniform standards and accountability across the sector. As part of broader reforms, Ribadu said the NUC had also re-engineered university curricula, moving from the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) to the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
According to him, the revised framework adopts a 70:30 ratio, with the NUC providing 70 per cent of mandatory core courses required for graduation, while universities are allowed 30 per cent flexibility to tailor programmes to their areas of strength and specialisation.
Emphasising the need to equip graduates with 21st-century employability skills, Ribadu commended the management of Gregory University for its contributions to educational development in the country.
In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, praised the founder of Gregory University, Professor Gregory Ibe, for his foresight and commitment to quality education. Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to driving educational reforms in the state.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Cele Njoku, said the institution had grown significantly in 13 years, expanding from three colleges to 12, with over 53 academic departments. She disclosed that all eight courses submitted to the NUC in 2024 received full accreditation, while new programmes, including Artificial Intelligence and major foreign languages, had been introduced.
Founder of the university, Professor Gregory Ibe, represented by the Pro-Chancellor, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, said his vision was to make quality education accessible to Nigerians. He urged graduating students to apply their knowledge to solving societal challenges.
The overall best graduating student, Master Onyechere Chinedum Yadirichukwu, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.91, called on youths to take responsibility for building a better Nigeria.
At the ceremony, honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mba; and the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Imo State chapter, Dr Okenze Sylvester Obinna.
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