The Senate has handed for second studying a invoice looking for to repeal and re-enact the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act to strengthen the fee’s regulatory powers, implement educational requirements and tackle alleged violations of governance guidelines by some non-public universities in Nigeria.
The proposed laws, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, seeks to ascertain a contemporary authorized framework for the institution, regulation, monitoring and administration of universities and different degree-awarding establishments throughout the nation.
The invoice, titled National Universities Commission Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1056), was introduced on behalf of Bamidele by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North Senatorial District.
Leading the talk, Monguno stated the present NUC Act had develop into outdated in view of modifications in Nigeria’s larger schooling panorama, together with the proliferation of personal universities, technological developments, internationalisation of schooling and evolving nationwide growth priorities.
He stated the proposed laws would strengthen the fee’s capability to implement rules, penalise violations, enhance high quality assurance and promote internationally recognised educational requirements.
According to Monguno, the invoice additionally seeks to steadiness regulatory oversight with institutional autonomy, modernise the fee’s governance construction, encourage worldwide partnerships and tackle funding challenges affecting college schooling.
“These reforms have become necessary to reposition the NUC as a dynamic catalyst for positive change and innovation in the delivery of quality university education,” he stated.
He urged senators to assist the invoice, arguing {that a} stronger regulatory framework would allow the fee to discharge its statutory obligations extra successfully.
Contributing to the talk, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, known as for stronger enforcement powers for the NUC, alleging that some non-public universities had adopted administration buildings inconsistent with the present authorized framework.
Umeh stated that whereas the fee had initially centered on public universities, the expansion of personal establishments had created further regulatory challenges.
He alleged that some non-public universities registered as restricted legal responsibility corporations or corporations restricted by assure had launched administration preparations involving managing administrators and government administrators as a substitute of adhering to governance buildings prescribed by legislation.
“The NUC, when it was established, was managing public universities, and at some point, private universities came into being. The private universities that we have in Nigeria today are being run by people who do not keep to the standards as prescribed by the National Universities Commission,” he stated.
According to Umeh, the fee generally struggled to implement compliance when establishments ignored its directives or challenged its authority.
He stated the proposed laws introduced a possibility to strengthen the NUC’s powers and be certain that universities complied with rules governing their institution and administration.
“When you are told that you are not doing the right thing, that the way and the structure of governance in that private university is not in accordance with the law, you go to court and continue to vacillate,” he stated.
Umeh recalled that the fee had beforehand exercised appreciable affect over college administration by making certain that establishments complied with its directives.
He argued that stronger enforcement provisions had been mandatory to forestall establishments from disregarding regulatory orders.
“Any university that is operating anywhere in Nigeria must align itself with the governance directives of the National Universities Commission. Otherwise, such universities should be proscribed,” he stated.
He added that the first goal must be to guard educational requirements and be certain that non-public universities operated throughout the legislation.
During the talk, senators additionally mentioned allegations of irregular administration practices at Tansian University in Anambra State.
Umeh cited the establishment for instance of what he described as issues over governance buildings and compliance with NUC directives.
He alleged that the college’s administration preparations allowed a managing director to train powers over appointments and administrative choices in methods he thought-about inconsistent with established college governance practices.
The allegations had been raised throughout the Senate debate as lawmakers thought-about whether or not the proposed laws would offer the fee with more practical instruments to implement compliance.
The dialogue additionally prompted requires clearer procedures to deal with establishments that fail to adjust to regulatory directives.
The Senate President indicated that stronger laws may assist the National Assembly assist the fee’s oversight obligations and tackle persistent circumstances of non-compliance.
He additionally raised the opportunity of recommending the proscription of establishments that failed to fulfill the required requirements, topic to the suitable authorized and government procedures.
Beyond enforcement, the proposed laws seeks to replace the NUC’s regulatory framework to replicate developments in larger schooling.
The invoice goals to strengthen programme accreditation, replace minimal educational requirements, enhance monitoring mechanisms and promote analysis and innovation.
It additionally proposes modifications to the composition and features of the fee’s governing board to enhance operational effectivity and accountability.
Other aims embody offering a clearer framework for worldwide partnerships, international funding in college schooling and the attraction of worldwide school and college students.
The proposed reforms are additionally supposed to encourage higher institutional autonomy whereas sustaining efficient regulatory oversight.
Monguno stated the modifications would assist place Nigeria’s college system to reply to rising challenges and compete extra successfully internationally.
Following the talk, the Senate handed the invoice for second studying by way of a voice vote.
The laws was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund for additional legislative consideration, with the committee directed to report again to the Senate inside 4 weeks.
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