NUC Reveals When Implementation Of New University Curriculum Will Begin

NUC Reveals When Implementation Of New University Curriculum Will Begin

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced that the implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) will commence in September 2023.

The CCMAS document is designed to provide guidance to educational institutions for designing their program curricula while incorporating innovative approaches to content and delivery. The goal is to achieve the broader objectives of education and training in the country.

During a Stakeholders’ Colloquium on CCMAS in Abuja, Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, stated that this document will elevate Nigerian universities to a higher standing within Africa.

Maiyaki revealed that the CCMAS will constitute 70% of the curriculum content, while the remaining 30% will be determined by individual universities.

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He emphasized that this implementation will significantly enhance the future of the education sector. “The development of the CCMAS went through a meticulous process, involving experts from our universities, professors, regulatory bodies, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), and other stakeholders. The CCMAS aligns with a global initiative to equip graduates with knowledge and competencies that will contribute to the advancement of the nation,” he explained.

Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, encouraged universities to make effective use of the 30% portion for their own input. Mamman urged universities to focus on achieving learning outcomes, skills, and soft skills that are relevant to their core discipline. These skills should be transferable to the university environment, the country, and the international community.

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Mamman said, “The CCMAS encompasses 70% of the curriculum, while universities’ Senates are given control over the remaining 30% to tailor it to their unique strengths. This approach allows for adaptation that suits local peculiarities and enables universities to establish themselves in areas of expertise.”

He praised universities that have completed their work on the 30% component and submitted it for review. He also urged those that have not done so to expedite the process, especially with the upcoming academic session.

The minister assured the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining the relevance and global competitiveness of the education system.

In a keynote address, Prof. Michael Faborode, Former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, explained that the concept of the CCMAS aims to foster diversification and differentiation in the education system. The goal is to provide a clear administrative framework and a unified legal structure for higher education.

Faborode praised the universities that have already submitted their 30% curriculum input to the CCMAS platform. He emphasized that this approach is crucial for universities to remain globally competitive and provide relevant education that enhances employability.

The CCMAS was developed in 2018 following a review of the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) – the curriculum guide for Nigerian universities that had been in use since 2007. The CCMAS extended the number of disciplines from 12 to 17, reflecting the demands of the 21st century. These disciplines include Administration and Management, Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences, Architecture, Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Computing, Education, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Law, Medicine and Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.