An Appraisal of the National Universities Commission Quality Assurance Measures in the Development of Academic Programmes in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

The paper appraised the procedures involved in the development of academic programmes in Nigerian Universities and the associated Quality Assurance measures by the National Universities Commission (NUC). It specifically examined the roles of the Academic Planning Unit, the Resource Verification and the regular Programme Accreditation exercises in Nigerian Universities as critical quality assurance measures by the NUC to ensure quality academic programmes in the institutions. The challenges associated with the effective implementation of the NUC Quality Assurance strategies were also examined. These included inadequate academic staff, inadequate and dilapidated physical facilities, inadequate funding among others. Suggestions were then proffered to ensure the realisation of the quality and standards envisaged in the NUC Quality Assurance measures. These included the motivation and recruitment of more academic staff, the construction of more physical facilities and rehabilitation and maintenance of dilapidated facilities, increased fund allocation to education sector in the annual national budget to between 15 and 20%, consolidation of undergraduate programmes, establishment of more postgraduate programmes, introduction of bursary and loan schemes for the indigent students by the Federal and State Governments, etc.