The National Universities Commission (NUC) and its Policy Development and Advisory Committee (PDAC) have unveiled a new set of strategic assignments aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s university system and repositioning it for global competitiveness.
At the presentation of the 4th Quarter Assignments on Monday, 12 October 2026, in Abuja, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, Chairman of PDAC, highlighted the Committee’s work in producing eight Concept Notes designed to guide reforms in higher education. These include a fresh needs assessment of public universities, sustainable funding frameworks, internationalisation strategies, and mechanisms to strengthen research, innovation, and university governance.
Professor Bamiro emphasised that the Concept Notes will serve as tools for the Executive Secretary’s engagement with political and bureaucratic authorities. “These Concept Notes are meant to provide guidance and support to the Executive Secretary in his engagement with relevant authorities towards improving the administration and management of the Nigerian University System,” he stated.
Receiving the report, Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, commended PDAC’s dedication and foresight. He noted that while identifying challenges is critical, mobilising resources to address them remains the greater hurdle. “Our institutions must work on sustainable self-financing models that make them less dependent on the public purse, while exhibiting commitment to fiscal responsibility and value-for-money,” Ribadu said.
He further stressed the importance of innovative funding strategies, given the rapid expansion of universities and the Commission’s growing regulatory responsibilities. Prof. Ribadu singled out the Labour Market Intelligence Observatory as a priority initiative, underscoring its role in bridging the gap between higher education and industry needs.
Looking ahead, PDAC also unveiled its 5th Quarter Assignments, which include eleven new focus areas such as restructuring NUC for the 21st century, promoting women in STEM, strengthening postgraduate education, and updating the Commission’s Strategic Plan to cover 2026–2030.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, with Professor Ribadu praising PDAC’s “ability to articulate policies and sustainable implementation approaches for a viable university system,” while Professor Bamiro assured continued support for the Commission’s reform agenda.
The unveiling of these assignments marks another milestone in the ongoing effort to transform Nigerian universities into engines of national development and global relevance.
