By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the recent moves taken to ensure needed progress and development in the country’s educational system.

Specifically, the executive director, NCSCN, Comr. Blessing Akinlosotu, in a press briefing, on Wednesday in Abuja, said Tinubu’s administration made remarkable strides in ensuring the country’s tertiary institution system is rightly coordinated, adding that the president started committing to educational development by appointing an astute Academician and renowned Administrator, Prof. Tahir Mamman as Minister of Education.

Among other things, the presidential assent to the Student Loan Bill into Law within a few months in the current administration goes a long way in underscoring the high priority of his Government.

Moreso, he lauded the National University Commission for taking prompt actions against educational matters that could jeopardize the country’s image before the international community.

He further said: “Equally the removal of Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which enhances corporate governance of the universities and removes unnecessary bottlenecks in implementations of programmes and projects by the Institutions. This single action also underscores Mr. President’s compliance with the subsisting court order in that regard and respecting the yearnings of university-based unions.

“Furthermore, implementation of the newly redeveloped Core Curriculum Minimum Academics Standards (CCMAS), which offers the Universities the opportunity to develop 30 per cent of the contents of its Curriculum while 70 per cent is provided by the NUC is a major milestone in the attainment of functional and qualitative education in Nigeria. This is expected to impact positively on Nigerian Universities as it would assist in producing highly skilled, fit-for-purpose graduates, in line with the current realities of our country.

“The Federal Government, through the Honourable Minister of Education, has approved the policy framework for Transnational Education, hoped to facilitate collaborations and partnerships between tertiary institutions in Nigeria and other universities globally. The Council is satisfied with the Educational Policy Trust of Mr. President and the choice of Prof. Tahir Mamman as Honourable Minister for Education and Dr Tanko Sununu as Honourable Minister of State (Education), while urging the Minister and Management of the Ministry to continue in this positive direction.

“We all can also recall the recent exposure of a University in Benin Republic that for years has been awarding highly compromised Degrees to Nigerians within few months of studies and stern actions taken by the National University Commission (NUC).

“The commitment of NUC under the leadership of the Acting Executive Secretary, Mr Chris Maiyaki has been very impressive, as the Commission has embarked upon ridding Nigeria of substandard academic delivery. On the other hand, the international ratings of our Universities have begun to witness steady ascension due to pragmatic regulations by the leadership and management of the NUC boosting the morale and welfare of the staff of the Commission to achieve more.

“Our interactions with the staff of the Commission yielded commendable testimonials as they expressed high satisfaction and confidence in the administrative performance of the management under the Mr Chris Maiyaki.”