Ensure quality education in private varsities, Don tells NUC

Prof. Dele Braimoh, a former UNESCO Chair, Open and Distance Learning Education, University of South Africa, has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure quality assurance in private universities.

There are 61 approved private universities as well as 40 federal and 38 state government-owned universities.

Braimoh in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday said that the decision to allow private universities operate was a welcome development as they supplement the efforts of public institutions.

The Don, however, said that quality assurance in such institutions should be the priority of the NUC.

“From three private universities in 1999 to 61 in 2017, that is a huge number. I am worried about the quality of education.

“I urge the NUC to maintain quality assurance in these institutions because it is in the interest of the nation,” he said.

Braimoh also said that fees charged by the institutions were affordable by parents and guardians.

“My concern is that government should not open doors to anybody who cannot maintain quality and standard infrastructure.

“We should not compromise on these standards. If quality is removed from any academic institution, we are doomed,” he said.

The Don, however, appealed to private universities not to impede poor students in their desire to get a sound education.

Braimoh said that education should be made affordable to qualified Nigerians who desire to go to institutions of higher learning.