Two dons (professors)have commended the National University Commission
(NUC) for suspending the licensesof seven private universities, over
insufficient facilities and academic programmes.
The dons, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone
in Lagos on Thursday, observed, however, that the licenses should have
been withdrawn permanently.
NAN reports that the NUC spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Yakassai, announced
the suspension of the licenses to the affected universities on
Wednesday.
The affected universities include Madonna University Okija, Anambra;
Caritas University Enugu and Achiever University Owo, Ondo State.
Others are Lead City University Ibadan, Oyo State; Obong University,
Obong; Tansian University, Umunya and Joseph Ayo Babalola University,
Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun.
According to the NUC, the licenseswere suspended because of the
institutions' non-compliance withNUC-stipulated regulations guiding
the operations of universities.
Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Head, Mass Communications Department,
University of Lagos (recently renamed Moshood Abiola University), said
the NUC action was to ensure quality control in private universities.
Akinfeleye noted that it was disheartening that some universities were
established without adequate facilities and lecturers because of
selfish interests.
He said that some state government-owned universities were also guilty
of running such institutions below set standards, and called for
sanctions.
"I commend the NUC for the suspension of the seven universities but I
will recommend that their licenses be withdrawn permanently if they
fail to meet standards.
"People cannot be floating universities as if they are establishing
petrol stations. Before you can run a university, you must have
experienced teachers and infrastructures on ground.
"Many of these private universities over admit students, while some
don't even have equipment to teach some coursesand yet they admit
students and charge them high fees," he said.
Akinfeleye, however, urged the NUC to allow students currently inthe
affected institutions to finish their studies, while disallowing fresh
intakes.
He urged educationists to invest more in human capital instead of
making money without providingservices.
Prof. Toba Elegbeleye, Head of Department of Psychology, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, told NAN that the NUC action was in
order.
He said NUC was responsible for moderating the activities of
universities and if it felt that the seven universities were
operatingbelow standards, they should face the music.
He added that it was mandatory for people planning to set up
universities to meet regulated standards before establishing such and
admitting students.
"NUC accredits from time to time and any institution that falls
shortof standards should be sanctioned.
"It is not about the students, the student can be allowed to finish or
be transferred to other institutions to complete their courses,"
Elegbeleye said.
He advised students in the affected institutions to sue the management
of their institutions for exploiting them. (NAN)
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