The Federal Government has closed down 22 illegal Colleges of Education across the country as part of a renewed crackdown on unaccredited institutions.
The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in a report obtained by our correspondent, confirmed that the affected schools were identified and sealed off during nationwide enforcement operations. The commission also disclosed that it carried out a personnel audit and financial monitoring across the 21 federal colleges of education.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed regulatory agencies in the education sector to intensify efforts in eliminating illegal tertiary institutions. Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, described such schools as “certificate mills” undermining the nation’s academic integrity.
He stressed that his administration would not tolerate institutions operating without proper accreditation.
“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” the President said.
He further noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the NCCE were working together to safeguard the education system and curb forgery as well as unrecognised institutions both within and outside the country.