Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu has officially assumed office as the 9th Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), succeeding Chris Maiyaki. The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the NUC headquarters in Abuja, marking the beginning of Ribadu’s tenure.
In his inaugural speech, Ribadu outlined his vision for the commission, focusing on staff welfare, academic stability, and transformative initiatives to enhance Nigeria’s university education sector. “In the coming weeks and months, I will collaborate closely with the management team to develop a comprehensive strategy for the commission,” Ribadu stated.
He highlighted the challenge of limited access to higher education, noting that only about 500,000 students are admitted annually out of the 2 million who sit for the JAMB UTME. To address this gap, Ribadu proposed expanding university infrastructure, promoting e-learning, and increasing private education opportunities.
Regarding funding, Ribadu emphasized the need to secure both internal and external support. “We will work towards improving funding for university education,” he affirmed, adding that a thorough needs assessment is essential to guide resource allocation. He also pledged to strengthen partnerships with international organizations and donor agencies to maximize funding opportunities.
Ribadu further announced plans to digitize NUC operations to improve transparency and efficiency. “We will digitalize the commission’s activities to ensure easy operations, transparency, accessibility, and a smoother business process,” he said. This will involve streamlining approval procedures and setting clear timelines for various activities.
Ribadu also promised to prioritize quality assurance in academic programs, foster innovation and research excellence, and stabilize academic calendars to align with global standards. “We will ensure regular audits and assessments of academic programs are more robust, transparent, and in line with global best practices,” Ribadu stated.
He also stressed the need for legislative reform within the NUC, indicating plans to review and update the commission’s governing laws to enhance its regulatory functions.
Outgoing Acting Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki, who passed the baton to Ribadu, expressed confidence in the new leadership, describing it as a significant step towards innovation within the commission. “The NUC needs to review its existing laws to achieve its objectives,” Maiyaki concluded.
