Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigeria’s higher education regulatory authority has taken a decisive step to curb the growing proliferation of unaccredited institutions and fraudulent degree‑granting centres across the country. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has reconstituted a special committee on degree mills with a strengthened mandate to collaborate with security and anti‑corruption agencies to arrest and prosecute individuals and organisations behind illegal universities and fake academic programmes.
The reconstitution of the committee follows rising concerns over the rapid emergence of unauthorised schools that claim to offer university degrees, diplomas, and certificates without proper accreditation or oversight. Such institutions have become a major challenge for Nigeria’s education sector, undermining standards, defrauding unsuspecting students, and damaging the credibility of legitimate degrees.
Under its newly defined six‑point terms of reference, the committee has been tasked with mapping out and monitoring suspected illegal institutions nationwide, gathering evidence of fraudulent activities, and forging stronger partnerships with law enforcement agencies. A key component of the mandate requires the committee to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other relevant agencies to ensure that proprietors of fake institutions are brought before the courts.
In a statement announcing the reconstitution, NUC officials emphasised that Nigeria’s education system must protect its integrity and ensure that only accredited universities and colleges are permitted to operate. They noted that fake degree mills not only exploit prospective students financially but also weaken the nation’s human capital development by producing qualifications that lack academic and professional value.
The committee’s terms of reference also include conducting nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of enrolling in unaccredited institutions. This involves informing students, parents, and employers about how to verify the accreditation status of universities and programmes, and the legal implications of obtaining or using certificates from illegal sources.
Education stakeholders have long decried the rise of degree mills in Nigeria, citing numerous cases where unsuspecting students paid substantial fees to institutions that later vanished or were shut down without awarding recognised qualifications. In some instances, graduates from such centres have encountered difficulties securing employment or further academic placement because their certificates were deemed invalid by employers or regulatory bodies.
NUC officials say that the committee will also review the regulatory framework governing higher education in Nigeria to close loopholes that have allowed illegal operators to flourish. This may involve tighter controls on the establishment of new institutions, improved monitoring of existing schools, and sanctions for individuals and organisations that facilitate or support illicit operations.
Legal experts have welcomed the move, arguing that collaboration between the NUC and security agencies is essential to dismantling the networks behind fake academic centres. They note that many fake universities operate under intricate arrangements designed to evade detection, including the use of online platforms, shell addresses, and misleading names that resemble legitimate institutions.
The renewed focus on enforcement comes at a time when demand for higher education qualifications in Nigeria remains high, driven by a large youth population and intense competition for jobs and advanced academic opportunities. The pressure to obtain degrees, coupled with limited access to affordable and accredited universities, has contributed to the rise of illicit providers who exploit gaps in the system.
Parents and students have expressed support for the NUC’s approach, saying that decisive action against degree mills will protect vulnerable applicants from exploitation. Many have also called for clearer guidelines on the accreditation process and better communication from regulatory authorities to help applicants make informed decisions when selecting institutions.
The collaboration between the NUC and enforcement agencies is expected to be sustained and systematic, with periodic reviews of progress and outcomes. Sources within the education sector say the committee’s success will depend on strong political will, adequate funding, and consistent engagement with state and federal authorities to ensure that illegal operators face the full force of the law.
As the reconstituted committee begins its work, educational institutions, professional bodies, and student associations are being urged to support the crackdown by reporting suspected illegal entities and participating in public awareness efforts. By uniting stakeholders in a common cause, the NUC hopes to stem the tide of fake universities and protect the value of genuine academic qualifications in Nigeria.
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