The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 13 new undergraduate degree programmes for Nigerian universities as part of ongoing reforms to modernize higher education and align it with global trends in science, technology, and innovation.
According to a circular issued by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, the approval follows the completion of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) addendum process, which involved contributions from academic experts across the Nigerian university system.
The newly approved degree programmes include:
B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence
B.Ed. Classical Christian Education
B.Ed. Human Kinetics (Sports Management)
B.Eng. Geomatics Engineering
B.OMS Community Health Sciences
B.Sc. Intelligence and Security Studies
B.Sc. Islamic Economics and Finance
B.Sc. Parasitology and Entomology
B.Sc. Telecommunication Science
B.Sc. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
B.Sc. Cooperative Economics and Management
B.Sc. Nuclear Science
B.Eng. Nuclear Engineering
The Commission directed that universities seeking to offer any of the newly introduced programmes must first undergo a Resource Assessment Visit by the NUC to ensure compliance with the required academic and infrastructural standards.
Professor Ribadu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to keeping Nigerian universities globally competitive, stating that the additions to the CCMAS reflect the country’s growing priorities in technology, health, security, and sustainability.
“The move is designed to strengthen academic relevance, foster innovation, and prepare graduates for the demands of the 21st-century workforce,” he said.
The introduction of Artificial Intelligence, Nuclear Engineering, and other specialized programmes marks a significant step toward equipping Nigerian universities with the capacity to train professionals for emerging global sectors.
