National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 13 new degree programmes for immediate adoption by universities nationwide.
The 13 newly approved programmes which are set to commence the next academic sessions include Artificial Intelligence, Classical Christian Education, Human Kinetics (sport management), Geomatics Engineering, Community Health Science, Intelligence and Security Studies, Islamic Economics and Finance, Parasitology and Entomology, Telecommunication Science, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Cooperative Economics and Management, Nuclear Science, and Nuclear Engineering.
According to the NUC, the decision, communicated to all vice-chancellors aims to strengthen academic relevance and align tertiary education offerings with current global and national economic demands.
The newly approved programmes form part of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) framework. This framework stipulates that 70% of the curriculum is the national component developed by experts, while universities must develop the remaining 30% as the institutional component.
The addition of courses such as Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Engineering marks a shift toward science, technology, and security-focused disciplines, which are considered critical components for national development. The commission stated that the programmes were developed by experts drawn from the Nigerian university system to meet modern realities.
While the introduction of modern courses is welcome, universities often face significant challenges in implementation, due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a shortage of specialized faculty required. Universities intending to offer the new courses must first undergo a successful resource assessment visit by the NUC before commencing implementation.
Nigerian universities are mandated to prepare for the introduction of these new degree programmes, beginning with mandatory resource assessments. The NUC maintains that the reform is necessary to keep Nigerian graduates competitive worldwide.
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