The National Universities Commission (NUC) has unveiled the identities of the illegal “universities” with known addresses operating in the country. The commission disclosed this yesterday at the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) headquarters during a joint press conference on the activities of the operators of the illegal “universities” across the country.
According to a release signed by the NUC deputy director (legal), Moses Awe, and made available to LEADERSHIP, 41 illegal universities have so far been identified with fixed addresses and have been published on NUC website.
Meanwhile, the ICPC also disclosed at the briefing that it had commenced a nationwide joint operation with security operatives, beginning yesterday, to close down the premises of the 41 identified illegal “universities”, with the aim of seizing their properties, making arrest of operators and prosecuting the culprits.
The culprits were allegedly either using a fake name or illegally operating a satellite campus in the name of an approved and known institution.
The suspects included University of Accountancy and Management Studies in Lagos, Concept College London with a campus in Gwarinpa, Abuja; Imo State University operating in a primary school in Garki, Abuja; a fake campus of Imo State University in Asaba, Temple University in Orozo, Abuja; Volta University College in Aba; Irish University Business School London anchored by Lobi Business School in Makurdi; Open University of Nigeria, Wuse II, Abuja; Mr. David Lornem New Idea Management at NNDC Building, Kaduna; another Imo State University satellite campus operated by Lucia Group of Schools at Ibusa; Volta University College in Aba; Abia State University study centre; Triumphal University in Omugbo town; Rockville University, Uburu, Royal University, Abakaliki; University of Caribbean in Ikorodu, Lagos; University of Education Ghana with centres in Lagos and Awka; Irish University Business School in Apapa, Lagos; Christ Message International University, Isolo, Lagos; University of Nigeria study centres in Surulere and Ikorodu, Lagos; University of Ibadan campus in Lagos, among others.
According to Prof. Olu Aina, who stood in for the ICPC chairman, Barrister Ekpo Nta, the action is the first in the series of implementing the outcome of an ongoing ICPC/NUC University System Study and Review (USSR), for which ICPC sought and obtained a Federal High Court warrant to clamp down on the illegal institutions.
LEADERSHIP had reported that the commission, through its chairman on Thursday last week in Calabar, had announced the discovery of 67 illegal universities nationwide with a warning that it would soon commence crackdown on the promoters of such illegal institutions.
“The activities of these illegal operators have impacted negatively on the mental, psychological and economic wellbeing of many young Nigerians and their parents. The institutions constitute an embarrassment to the government and remain a monumental corruption of the education system.
“Therefore, an inter-agency task team comprising ICPC, the NUC, the police, the State Security Service and the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps will continue the exercise until all corrupt practices and impunity associated with the physical existence of such illegal institutions cease completely,” Aina said.
The ICPC said a lot of the “universities” do not have fixed addresses while some have become itinerant in order to beat the law, adding that those being closed down were established in contravention of the law which states that any application for the establishment of a university must be done through the NUC only. The anti-graft agency therefore called on members of the press, civil society organisations, parents and prospective students for cooperation on information sharing in order to check the menace.
The commission also advised school proprietors to be wary of lending or hiring out their facilities for these “after school hours and weekend” institutions to avoid having their premises sealed off or seized.
For his part, Prof. Shola Akinrinade, who represented the NUC executive secretary at the briefing, also denied insinuations that the commission had earlier granted temporary approval to the illegal institutions to operate. He said “the NUC does not grant temporary approval or licence to operate a university,” hence the publication of legal and illegal institutions on its website.
ICPC storms Benue, arrests proprietor, registrar of fake varsity
Meanwhile, the ICPC also yesterday stormed Markurdi, Benue State capital, and arrested the registrar and proprietor of Lobi Institute of Management and Technology for allegedly awarding fake degree certificates. The anti-graft team gathered that the school was affiliated to a foreign university called Irish University Business School in London
A statement from the commission’s resident consultant (media), Folu Olamiti, said the proprietor of the institution, Dr Peter Ahemba, and the registrar, Chihi Joseph, were later quizzed by operatives with relevant materials retrieved from them that would help in their investigation. Ahemba however denied ever been affiliated with any foreign university but said that the school only awards certificate to its students.
Speaking with newsmen in Makurdi, ICPC deputy director, education department, Mr Muhammed Ashiru Baba, said that the commission was working in line with section 6 of the ICPC Act.
He lamented the rising rate of fake universities in the country, stating that four of such illegal universities were in Benue State axis and assured of the efforts of the commission to rid the country of the illegal universities so as to save education from total collapse.
The team which also visited the North-Central University based in Otukpo discovered that the proprietors of the university had closed the institution about five years ago. Before closure, the institution operated in a private secondary school called Ujor Memorial College in Otukpo with dilapidated buildings, while reports indicated that no fewer than 5,000 students were attending the school, most of them from the eastern part of the country.
List Of Illegal Universities In Nigeria With Known Addresses
1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies
41, Ikorodu Road, Jibowu,
Yaba, Lagos.
2. Concept College London
CITEC Villa Junction,
Gwarinpa, Abuja.
3. Imo State University
(Illegal Study & Degree-awarding Centre) Garki Primary School
Behind UTC, Area 10, Abuja.
4. Logos Institute (Illegally affiliated Olabisi Onabanjo University) 9, African Church Road, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos.
Director: Pastor Femi Majekodunmi
5.Open University of Nigeria C/o Notitia Tutorial Centre, No. 5, Dar-es Salem Crescent, Wuse II Abuja
Coordinator: Larry James
6. Mr. David Lornem
New Idea Management Consultants & Open Learning Network, 18/19 Ahmadu Bello Way, NNDC Building Kaduna.
7. Imo State University (Illegal Satellite Campus) Lucia Group of Schools Ibusa Road, Asaba.
8. Temple University Orozo, Abuja. (Proprietors are already facing trial at Karu Magistrate Court)
9. Volta University College
No. 13, Okehie Street, Aba.
10. Abia State University (Illegal Study Centre) International Secondary School, Aba.
11. Triumphal University, Omugbo town, Orumba North LGA, Anambra.
12. Rockville University Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.
13. Royal University Izhia,
Abakaliki.
14. University of Caribbean
22, Agbarho Street,
Idi Iroko, opp Govt. College,
Ikorodu, Lagos.
15. Irish University Business School London (Anchor: Lobi Business School) 20, Old Otukpo Road, Makurdi.
16. University of Education Winneba Ghana a) 39A Ayilara Street, Ojuelegba, Lagos. b) Federal College of Education (Tech) Awka. c) Royal Star College, Lawanson, Surulere – Lagos.
17. Irish University Business School Doseg International College, Akin Mateola Street, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Promoter: Envoy Consulting Limited,
10, Calcutta Crescent, Apapa, Lagos.
18. Christ Message International University, 174/178, Okota Road, Isolo, Lagos.
19. University of Nigeria (Illegal study centre) a) Ansar-Udeen Grammar School,
Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos.
b) Hanaco Plaza, 113 Ikorodu Road,
Fadeyi, Lagos.
20. University of Ibadan (Illegal Campus)
Agent: Quality Merchandise Associates
5, Emmaneul Kolawole Street, Somolu, Lagos. Lecture centres: i) Bright Future College Somolu, Lagos.
ii) St. Margaret, Comprehensive College, Agboju, Lagos.
21. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Illegal Campuses)
Agent: Quality Merchandise Associates
Lecture centres: i) Bright Future College Somolu, Lagos.
ii) St. Margaret, Comprehensive College, Agboju, Lagos
iii) Victory College, Abule Onigagbo, Ikeja.
iv) Topmost Collge, 3 Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos.
22. North Central University
KM4, Otukpo – Adoka Road,
Otukpo, Benue State.
23. University of Applied Management, Germany
Agent: Dr. Martins Gyambrah
Cambridge College of Arts and Science,
6, Ikole Street, off Gimbiya street,
Area 11, Abuja.
24. Luminar International Centre for Health and Alternative Medicine
a) 16 Nkwubor Road, Enugu.
b) Ekpuinto Mgbowo Autonomous Community, Awgu, Enugu State.
25. Houdegbe North America University
Pioneer School of Management,
Airport Road, Kano.
Agent: Mr. Jibril – 07040044859
26. The International Universities (TIU) Missouri
Pioneer School of Management,
Airport Road, Kano.
Agent: Mr. Jibril – 07040044859
27. Pilgrims University
5/7 Okpu Umuobo Road
Opp. Union Bank, Umungasi,
Aba. 07082801611
28. EC Council University
No. 5, Babatola Drive,
Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.
CEO: Tim Akano – 017901013.
29. Atlas University
Agent: Southland College of Tech
50, Zik Avenue, Uwani, Enugu.
08086673378.
30. Halifax Gateway University
20, Aranle Street, Surulere, Lagos.
31. Urban University College of Nigeria
88, Afikpo Road, Abakaliki.
32. Christ Alive Christian Seminary & University
No. 48, Kenneth Street,
Agbani Road, Enugu.
33. Atlanta International University i/c Best Choirce Consult Ltd., 21, Aguta Road, Opp. CKC Okija.
34. Christians of Charity American
University of Science and Technology
No. 2, Oshimili Street,
3rd Floor, Off old Enugu Road, Nkpor.
35. Atlanta Univeristy
CMML Secondary School,
Ayagba, Kogi State.
36. Samuel Ahmadu University
C/o Govt. Sec. School, Makurdi.
37. Atlas University
Uko Eshet Street, Ikot Usoso,
Oku – Uyo.
38. Concept College London
No. 15 Abdul’Azeez Atta Road
Opposite B Division, Surulere,
Ilorin.
39. Royal Institute of Continuing Education
(Illegally running degree of AAU, Akungba Akoko) 70, Station Road,
Osogbo, Osun State.
Lecture Centres: a) Old Children Boarding School, Osogbo.
b) Fakunle Grammar School, Osogbo.
40. Federal College of Complementary & Alternative Medicine of Nigeria
No. 4, Bujumbura Street,
Off Libreville Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.
41. Richmond Open University
Arochukwu, Abia State.
We advise our student to be careful with the above short listed schools when applying for admissions please. Thanks
