The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken significant action to cleanse the country’s education sector by identifying and shutting down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating without official approval. This move, aimed at preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s educational system, was revealed in a recent report from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), which documented the agency’s latest achievements.

According to the NCCE, the illegal institutions were uncovered during a nationwide operation targeting unaccredited colleges offering education programmes without government authorisation. These colleges were found to be operating in violation of national education standards and have since been closed. In addition to shutting down these institutions, the NCCE also conducted personnel audits and financial assessments across all 21 federal Colleges of Education to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

This action aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive urging federal education bodies to intensify efforts to eliminate unauthorized tertiary institutions. During the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, President Tinubu—represented by Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education—expressed concern over the proliferation of “certificate millers” which he said poses a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s academic qualifications.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforming the education sector through better coordination among agencies. He noted that organisations such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the NCCE are working collaboratively to ensure educational standards are upheld. The overarching goal is to eliminate the spread of forged certificates and the operation of unrecognized institutions, both domestically and abroad.