The Senate has handed for second studying a invoice searching for to repeal and re-enact the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act to strengthen the fee’s regulatory powers, implement educational requirements and handle 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Leading the talk, Monguno stated the prevailing NUC Act had change into outdated in view of adjustments in Nigeria’s greater training panorama, together with the proliferation of personal universities, technological developments, internationalisation of training and evolving nationwide growth priorities.
He stated the proposed laws would strengthen the fee’s capacity to implement laws, penalise violations, enhance high quality assurance and promote internationally recognised educational requirements.
According to Monguno, the invoice additionally seeks to stability regulatory oversight with institutional autonomy, modernise the fee’s governance construction, encourage worldwide partnerships and handle funding challenges affecting college training.
“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 duties extra successfully.
Contributing to the talk, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, referred to as for stronger enforcement powers for the NUC, alleging that some non-public universities had adopted administration constructions inconsistent with the prevailing authorized framework.
Umeh stated that whereas the fee had initially centered on public universities, the expansion of personal establishments had created extra regulatory challenges.
He alleged that some non-public universities registered as restricted legal responsibility firms or firms restricted by assure had launched administration preparations involving managing administrators and govt administrators as an alternative of adhering to governance constructions 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 typically struggled to implement compliance when establishments ignored its directives or challenged its authority.
He stated the proposed laws introduced a chance to strengthen the NUC’s powers and be sure that universities complied with laws 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 obligatory to stop 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 needs to be to guard educational requirements and be sure that non-public universities operated inside 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 considerations over governance constructions and compliance with NUC directives.
He alleged that the college’s administration preparations allowed a managing director to train powers over appointments and administrative selections in methods he thought of inconsistent with established college governance practices.
The allegations had been raised in the course of the Senate debate as lawmakers thought of whether or not the proposed laws would supply the fee with simpler 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 duties and handle persistent instances of non-compliance.
He additionally raised the potential of recommending the proscription of establishments that failed to fulfill the required requirements, topic to the suitable authorized and govt procedures.
Beyond enforcement, the proposed laws seeks to replace the NUC’s regulatory framework to mirror developments in greater training.
The invoice goals to strengthen programme accreditation, replace minimal educational requirements, enhance monitoring mechanisms and promote analysis and innovation.
It additionally proposes adjustments to the composition and features of the fee’s governing board to enhance operational effectivity and accountability.
Other goals embody offering a clearer framework for worldwide partnerships, overseas funding in college training and the attraction of worldwide school and college students.
The proposed reforms are additionally meant to encourage larger institutional autonomy whereas sustaining efficient regulatory oversight.
Monguno stated the adjustments 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 via 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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