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A crisis appears to be brewing in Nigeria’s university system, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is threatening a showdown over the implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards, (CCMAS), in September.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki, had directed all Nigerian Universities to begin CCMAS implementation at the start of the new academic session in September.
In 1989, the Nigerian University System used the Minimum Academic Standards (MAS), to ensure undergraduate programmes met global competitiveness.
In 2007, the MAS was replaced with the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS), which also raised the Cumulative Grade Point Aggregates (CPGA) for undergraduates from 4.49 to 5 points as First Class.
By 2018, following advancements in Information And Communication Technology, among others, the National Universities Commission had started work to introduce the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
After much deliberation with academics, industries, and private sector players, the NUC says the CCMAS, with 30 per cent input from universities, is ready for implementation in the new academic session by September.
For the former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Michael Faborode, the CCMAS is the way to go for global recognition in Nigerian university education.
But the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, disagrees with the NUC, saying the CCMAS will further drag Nigerian universities’ rankings to rock bottom on the global stage.
Following the vehement rejection of CCMAS by ASUU, fingers remain crossed in the university system ahead of the start of a new academic calendar in September 2023.
