Professor Abdullahi Ribadu has officially assumed office as the 9th substantive Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
In his inaugural address on Monday in Abuja, Ribadu outlined his commitment to reforming the commission’s laws and enhancing service delivery within Nigeria’s higher education system.
Ribadu emphasized the need to prioritize staff training and welfare, promising to collaborate with NUC’s management to improve overall productivity.
“I urge everyone to join me in building a stronger, more efficient commission,” he stated, acknowledging that the growth and development of the commission’s staff are vital for the achievement of its goals.
He also addressed the long-standing challenge of access to university education, highlighting the disparity between the number of candidates who sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams and the limited admissions available.
With over 2 million candidates annually, only 500,000 are admitted into tertiary institutions, Ribadu noted.
He assured that the NUC would work towards expanding existing infrastructure, promoting e-learning, and encouraging private sector investment to close the gap.
Ribadu also pledged to secure enhanced funding opportunities, both internally and externally, to support Nigerian universities in meeting the educational demands of the population.
In his farewell remarks, the outgoing Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, welcomed Ribadu’s appointment, stressing the urgent need for legal reforms to modernize the NUC’s laws.
He pointed out that outdated regulations hindered the commission’s ability to effectively manage the proliferation of unapproved degree-awarding institutions and regulate professional bodies.
Maiyaki also reflected on his tenure, highlighting key achievements such as the establishment of six new universities, the approval of over 1,800 academic programs, and the creation of new open and distance learning centers.
His leadership, he noted, had reinforced NUC’s commitment to advancing higher education in Nigeria.
