KANO, Nigeria – The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has uncovered and shut down 22 illegal colleges of education operating across Nigeria, in a sweeping crackdown on unaccredited institutions.
The development was contained in the commission’s performance report obtained on Monday by African Health Report (AHR).
It also confirmed that personnel audits and financial monitoring were conducted across all 21 federal colleges of education.
“The NCCE identified and shut down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating nationwide,” the commission stated, noting the move is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard academic integrity and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
The crackdown follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to education regulators — including the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the NCCE — to intensify action against “certificate millers” undermining Nigeria’s academic credibility.
Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, the President, represented by Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, reaffirmed government stance.
“The integrity of our education system must not be compromised. This administration is committed to strengthening collaboration between regulatory agencies to enhance efficiency and quality,” Tinubu said.
He added that the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are working jointly to block unrecognised institutions and cases of forgery both within and outside Nigeria.
