By Charles Ayodele
The institutionalization of accreditation of programmes in Nigerian tertiary institutions by the National Universities Commission, NUC, has been described as a remedy to the collapse of many schools.
The Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, BUESTI, Ikere- Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof. Victor Olufemi Adeoluwa, made the observation while addressing members of the accreditation team for the school’s programmes.
Prof. Adeoluwa told the team which members were drawn from various universities across the country that BUESTI is a progressive institution that came on stream in 2020, about four years now. He said it runs seventy-eight programmes, and that the first forty-five qualified programmes were the ones being accredited as others would follow suit in due time.
“We have tried our best to put in place what we feel we should be able to put in place by the level of our preparations. This is a state university and we believe God that will see us through. What you see on our campus is what we have. I detest window dressing because I know the result will affect the students. We are believing that when you check all those things you will try as much as possible to temper justice with mercy “.
He said accreditation is a very good exercise. Adding that it will put management of tertiary institutions on their toes. And by extension embrace their programmes with seriousness. The Vice Chancellor posited that the institution’s programmes are the ones that the students would benefit immensely. While the nation itself will be able to have well-grounded graduates who will be able to contribute to development of the country.
In an interview, the university administrator was optimistic of positive result from the National Universities Commission, NUC. On the readiness of BUESTI to weather the storm of academic challenges, he remarked, ” we are ready because there is no university in Nigeria that is perfect especially when it has to do with staffing and other challenges because the brain-drain has affeced university education in Nigeria.
“But even though we have done our best to be able to have the requisite number of staff that we are supposed to have for the programmes, when they get there they will see what we have presented and they will be able to advice us.”
Representative of the NUC, Mrs Anthonia Bawa said the body will continue to attain its goals by adhering to its vision and mission. According to her, the mission of the NUC is to ensure the orderly development of a well-coordinated and productive university system.
This, she underscored should be capable of engendering national development and global competitiveness.
Mrs Bawa remarked that accreditation is something that comes from time to time with a view to enabling universities achieve full accreditation.
Another member of the team appealed to his colleagues to be fair where it is necessary.
