According to the Nigerian Tribune, the new programmes are part of a broader effort to update the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) across the Nigerian University System (NUS). These 12 programmes had previously been either omitted or left outstanding during the comprehensive curriculum review undertaken by the commission in recent years.
The proposed academic disciplines span a broad range of emerging and interdisciplinary fields, including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Classical Christian Education
- Community Health Science
- Cooperative Economics and Management Studies
- Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Geomatics Engineering
- Intelligence and Security Studies
- Parasitology and Entomology
- Sports Management
- Telecommunication Science
- Water Sanitation and Hygiene
- Islamic Economics and Finance
A dedicated panel has been assembled to fine-tune these programmes, ensuring that they are fully integrated into the CCMAS framework and validated by relevant stakeholders. The process, according to NUC Executive Secretary Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, follows multiple requests from universities and professional bodies seeking the development of new, market-driven academic programmes.
Professor Ribadu emphasized that the NUC’s authority to set academic standards is grounded in the Education Act, empowering the commission to accredit and oversee the curricula of all Nigerian universities and degree-awarding institutions.
He noted the growing need for academic programmes that not only transfer knowledge but also develop critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability in students—attributes essential for navigating the complexities of the 21st-century global economy.
“The landscape of education and knowledge is rapidly evolving. This demands a curriculum that cultivates not just technical skills but also innovation and resilience,” Ribadu said. He encouraged subject experts and resource persons to offer constructive feedback and insight throughout the review process, with a focus on local relevance and alignment with global best practices.
Acting Director of Academic Planning, Mal. Abubakar Girei, who oversaw the review process, explained that the initiative is designed to enhance the overall quality of university education and improve the global competitiveness of Nigerian graduates. He also revealed that each curriculum development panel includes two NUC representatives to provide academic planning guidance and that resource persons were drawn from all six geopolitical zones to ensure diverse representation.
Girei added that while the preliminary curriculum drafts are 70% complete, they will undergo further internal review and refinement. Final approval will be subject to endorsement by both NUC management and the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The remaining 30% of curriculum development will be left to individual universities, continuing a long-standing practice of allowing institutional input in curriculum delivery.
This curriculum expansion reflects the NUC's commitment to preparing Nigerian students for a fast-changing world, ensuring the country’s higher education system remains relevant and forward-looking.