Conflict between NUC, professional bodies impose costs on universities, students – Ogundipe

Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Chairman of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, has highlighted the adverse effects of conflicts between the NUC and professional regulatory bodies on Nigerian universities and students. This was while delivering the 16th convocation lecture at Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in Osogbo.

The lecture topic, "Coping With Double Oversight: Harmonising The NUC And Professional Bodies For A Sustainable University System," delved into the complexities arising from overlapping regulatory responsibilities within Nigeria's university system.

Ogundipe emphasized that regulatory bodies other than the NUC lack the authority to prevent universities from admitting students, stating that such power lies solely with the NUC. He noted that the relationship between the NUC and professional bodies, including medical councils, legal education councils, pharmacists' councils, architects' councils, and nursing and midwifery councils, has become fraught due to their distinct laws, accreditation criteria, and professional standards.

The professor argued that Nigeria does not require fewer regulations for university education, but rather, it needs enhanced regulation, with quality assurance remaining paramount.

He pointed out that overlapping mandates, inconsistent requirements, and duplicated accreditation processes could pose significant challenges for institutions and students. As a university administrator with extensive experience across various levels, Ogundipe emphasized the importance of predictable, transparent, proportionate, and developmental regulation.

He identified six key areas of contention: curriculum ownership and content, accreditation timelines and costs, minimum standards versus professional standards, institutional capacity, resistance to new universities by professional councils, and challenges in post-NYSC professional registration.

Ogundipe opposed professional bodies' attempts to dictate academic qualifications and advocated for a shift from an accreditation-focused system to a comprehensive quality assurance culture. He announced that the NUC would require universities to update their data annually to address issues such as academic staff moonlighting and urged institutions to shoulder greater responsibility for maintaining standards.

Ogundipe proposed a five-pillar framework: legislative and policy clarity on jurisdictional boundaries, a permanent national consultative framework, harmonized accreditation protocols, student-focused developmental accreditation, and a shared national regulatory information platform.

He outlined a six-step implementation plan, including the formation of a national task group, the development of unified regulatory matrices, the piloting of coordinated accreditation, the enforcement of student protection protocols, the institutionalization of regulatory intelligence, and the leveraging of collective advocacy. Ogundipe concluded by urging graduating students to understand the regulatory framework governing their professions, encouraging them to proactively register with relevant professional bodies and actively participate in the system.