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By Daniel Adaji
A new policy barring professional bodies from independently accrediting academic programmes in Nigerian universities has caused widespread reactions, with critics warning that the government is acting against its own laws and endangering the quality of higher education.
A source close to the Ministry of Education, who spoke to Pointblanknews.com on Tuesday, strongly criticized the move, calling it a violation of legal provisions that established these bodies.
“These professional organizations and their regulatory bodies are established by law, Act of the National Assembly which empowers them to evaluate professionals into the practice of the profession,” the source said.
“Now a ministry of education is asking professional regulatory bodies not to regulate the institutions that are producing these professionals into the Nigerian economy. So why should the government perpetuate illegality against itself?”
In a circular dated May 20, 2025, The National Universities Commission (NUC), announced the stoppage of multiple accreditation of academic programmes by professional bodies. The directive followed a letter from the Ministry of Education citing concerns over duplication of efforts and resource waste.
“All professional bodies shall no longer be allowed to conduct independent accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian universities,” it stated.
However, seven bodies were granted waivers to continue regulatory activities in collaboration with the NUC. These are the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Council of Legal Education, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Pharmacy Council, Veterinary Council, Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Architects Registration Council.
The source warned that the policy could lead to the proliferation of substandard graduates.
“The implication is that all the students and institutions offering these programs are not going to be professionally accredited. They will graduate without their professional bodies knowing what their capacities and capabilities are. In fact, their school is useless,” he said.
On social media, Saleem Khaleed, commenting on Facebook, wrote: “I really hope that this will not be implemented. If not, there may be a serious problem.
Imagine, NUC accreditation that I’ve never seen a university fail. Most institutions that fail professional bodies’ accreditation for the most obvious reason, if you check well, you’ll find out that they have NUC accreditation. It was even reported that NUC will come for accreditation of chemistry, but they will show them Agric and Physics lab and claim that it’s all for chemistry.”
Khaleed added that the directive could open the door for under qualified institutions to launch professional courses.
“This, if implemented, will cause many underfunded universities to start professional courses they can’t teach efficiently. Nigerian public education is heading to where I don’t know,” he said.
However, others have lauded the directive noting that it was long overdue and would help restore balance in university funding.
Aminu Bayawa commenting on Meta said, “This is long overdue, nevertheless a very good move. Those professional organizations are sucking universities dry and manipulating VCs to divert resources to the so-called professional programs at the expense of other programs,” Bayawa wrote.
Usma Jajere another user expressed concern over the unchecked growth of professional bodies.
“A lot of professional bodies, and it seems that gradually every course would establish professional bodies with their members and regulations for the operation of courses in Nigerian universities. These issues have to be tackled; if not, they’re ruining universities’ funds,” he said.
Ukam James questioned the future of students under the new framework.
“Who will induct the graduating students if their professional body can’t regulate or accredit them?” he wrote.
At a public event in Abuja, former President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Kashim Ali, also condemned the policy.
“This directive is ill-advised. Without independent accreditation, our graduates risk being unrecognized globally. Engineering and other technical fields cannot afford to compromise on quality assurance,” Ali said.
He linked recent national failures to poor oversight and warned against weakening professional regulation.
“We must prioritize engineering and act ahead of failures. Engineering societies should be proactive, alerting authorities before problems escalate. Look at the Port Harcourt Refinery, that’s what happens when technical standards are not upheld,” he added.
The government’s position, outlined in the NUC circular, claims the move will streamline accreditation processes. But critics argue it creates more problems than it solves.
“Since this circular, the entire professional groups in this country have been pulled into turmoil. Without these programmes or the universities being accredited by the professional bodies, the international community will not recognize any body with any qualifications from that year. This is an assault on the professional class in this country,” the source said.