QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ACCREDITATION: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION OF NIGERIA

Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf Ag. Director, Dept. of Open & Distance Education National Universities Commission Abuja, .Nigeria

HIGHER EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Higher Education began in 1932 , Yaba higher College
established in Lagos
University education began in 1948 university of Ibadan, as a College of University of London, became a full fledged autonomous university in 1962. The HE system consists of post-secondary educational institutions including universities, polytechnics, Colleges of Education (COEs) and monotechnics

NUMBER OF HE INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

HEI

Federal

State

Private

Total

Univers 36 -ities
Poly/ 43 Monote chs. CoE Total 21 100

35
52

45
15

116
110

44 131

21 81

86 312
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QA in HE.
QA mechanims: Internal+ External Internal QA: Senate, Faculty/College Boards, Departments+ External Examiners

External QA: Statutory QA Agencies+ Professional Bodies

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University Education
Currently NUS has 116 Universities: Federal Universities State Universities Private universities = 36 = 35 = 45

Total Enrolment = 1.3 million

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History of Quality Assurance .. in NUS

NUC established in 1960 Statutory Agency in 1974

Quality as fitness for purpose Two - pronged approach: Standard setting Accreditation
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Other QA mechanisms
Ranking Programme approval Annual System review meetings Visitation Promotion of Institutional QA culture

Quality Enhancement
QA enhancement/ Support: National Virtual Library Capacity building e.g. E-teaching skills DTLC Equipment support : Computers, TREG, Study Tours/ Training for VCs etc
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Standard Setting
Minimum Academic Standards (MAS) developed in 1989 in 13 Academic disciplines; MAS: content based

Outcome-based benchmark statements in 2001 MAS + Benchmarks =BMAS in 2004 9

Accreditation
Programme accreditation began in 1990. In NUS ..Accreditation is a system for evaluating Universities and their academic programmes for a level of performance, integrity and quality which entitles them to the confidence of the educational community, the public they serve and the employers of labour.
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Accreditation Instruments
Manual of Accreditation Procedure Self-Study form (NUC/SSF), Programme Evaluation Form (NUC/PEF), Accreditation Panel Report Form (NUC/APRF), Accreditation Re-visitation Form (NUC/ARVF)
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Objectives of Accreditation
Ensure that at least the provisions of the MAS/BMAS documents are attained, maintained and enhanced;
Assure employers and other members of the community that Nigerian graduates of all academic programmes have attained an acceptable level of competency in their areas of specialization; Certify to the international community that the programmes offered in Nigerian Universities are of high standards and their graduates are adequate for employment and for further studies
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Features of Accreditation
In NUS.. Mandatory; largely government-driven; Consequential consists of: institutional self-assessment, peer-review, Site Visit full disclosure to the proprietors, government ; and partial disclosure to other stakeholders and the general public

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ACCREDITATION STATUS& IMPLICATIONS

An evaluated programme may earn any of 3 possible accreditation status: Full Accreditation: a minimum of 70% aggregate score + 70% in each of the four core areas of of academic content, staffing, physical facilities and library. Valid for 6 years with mid-term review Interim Accreditation: aggregate score of not less than 60% or programme with a total score above 70% but which scores less than 70% in any of the indicated 4 core areas ; valid for 2 academic years

Denied Accreditation:failed to satisfy MAS with less than 60% aggregate score . Admission of new entrants ceases until deficiencies are remedied.
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Institutional Accreditation
Process to combine programme + Institutional accreditation began in 2006, Why Institutional accreditation? Programme Accreditation : limited to programme evaluation Institutional Accreditation : holistic evaluation of institution [ programmes+ governance vision, mission Admin, Finance etc]
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The Road to Institutional Accreditation

Sensitization workshop Study tour Draft Instrument developed Draft Instrument reviewed/finalized

Pilot Institutional Accreditation First Cycle of Accreditation

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Criteria.
Institutional vision, mission and strategic goals Institutional Governance and Administration Institutional Resources Quality of Teaching, Learning and Research Institutional Efficiency and Effectiveness Extension services and consultancies Transparency, Financial Management and Stability General Ethos Numerous Sub-criteria

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Documents/ Instrument
Towards the Preparation for Institutional Accreditation
Draft institutional Accreditation Report Form (NUC/IA-RF) Draft Minimum Standards (NUC/IA-MS)
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Panel Composition
A Former Vice-Chancellor or Ex-NUC Executive Secretary as Chairman; 3 Professors across the disciplines; A former Registrar; A former Bursar; A former University Librarian NUC Representative
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Grading..
Score 80% and above Letter Grade Judgement Remarks

A+

FULL accreditation (10-year life Excellent span)

70-79%

FULL accreditation (10-year life span)

65-69%

B+

FULL accreditation (8-year life Good span)

60-64%

FULL accreditation (8-year life span)

55-59%

C+

INTERIM Accreditation (5-year Fair life span)

50-54%

INTERIM Accreditation (3-year life span)

45-49% 40-44% Less than 40%

Probation (for 2 years) Probation (for 1 year) DENIED

Poor

E
F

Fail

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BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION
A number of benefits have been demonstrated to accrue to institutions in the wake of accreditation exercises :

an increase in the Amount of funds allocated to universities by proprietors following the submission of accreditation reports; significant improvement in funding prior to accreditation visits; increase in number of academic programmes that meet the quality standards stipulated in the BMAS; provision of useful feedbacks to proprietors and managers of the universities on the performance of their academic programmes; promotion of an institutional culture of quality, promotion of institutional competition and academic excellence.
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FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Postgraduate BMAS & Accreditation

QA & Standards for ODL programmes

Guidelines for ODL in Nigerian Universities www.nuc.edu.ng

QA & Regulatory framework for CBHE
Guidelines for quality provision of cross-border university education in Nigeria www.nuc.edu.ng

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Lessons for UEMOA

UEMOA member nations should tap from the rich experience of NUC to build capacity for QA assurance Develop an action plan for the establishment of common External QA mechanisms & Set standards Set up legislative & regulatory framework to give bite to QA decisions
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Conclusion
NUC garnered vast experience in QA which have proven to be very beneficial. Combination of programme + Institutional accreditation will further guarantee continuous improvement in university education in Nigeria. UEMOA nations can borrow a leaf to assure quality in member states. Synergy building through collaboration is KEY
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