The National Universities Commission (NUC) has called for a review of its Establishment Act to enhance its operational efficiency and address pressing challenges in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
The commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu
made this appeal during the commission’s 2025 budget defense before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, chaired by Sen. Muntari Dandutse.
Ribadu highlighted the need for legislative updates, pointing out that the current NUC Act, last revised in 2004, does not align with the evolving landscape of university education in Nigeria.
“The landscape has changed, yet the Act of 2004 remains the same. For us to perform our duties effectively, it’s imperative that we review the NUC Act. We already have a draft in place and seek your support to move it forward,” Ribadu stated.
Ribadu outlined several challenges undermining the delivery of quality education in Nigeria, with inadequate funding being a recurring issue.
“In spite of consistent federal government support, including budgetary allocations and TetFund interventions, funding remains an insurmountable challenge,” he said.
He further noted infrastructure deficits, limited access to higher education, and poor facilities for teaching, learning, and research.
Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Prof. Sagir Abbas corroborated Ribadu’s concerns.
He lamented that universities are struggling to manage overhead costs like electricity and salaries, with current allocations barely meeting 2% of operational needs.
“Research is not captured in the national budget. Universities are left to fend for themselves in teaching, research, and operational management. This is a glaring gap in our national development strategy,” Abbas emphasized.
Chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, acknowledged the funding challenges but stressed the importance of integrating internally generated revenue (IGR) into the financial strategies of universities.
“As we deliberate on the 2025 budget, the NUC must demonstrate a clear and sustainable plan for leveraging IGR. This will enhance the competitiveness of our universities while easing the pressure on public resources,” Dandutse remarked.
With the education sector grappling with infrastructural and financial challenges, the NUC’s call for an updated Establishment Act signals a crucial step toward revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
The Senate Committee’s focus on sustainability through IGR further underscored the need for innovative funding models to address systemic inefficiencies and prepare the nation for a knowledge-driven future.