The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted Full Accreditation status to Twenty-Six (26) Academic Programmes being run by the University of Jos. This was the outcome of an Accreditation exercise carried out at the University in October/November, 2023 by the regulatory body.
Following the exercise, NUC recently released its findings in a report addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya and signed by the NUC’s Acting Director of Accreditation, Engr. Abraham Chundusu on behalf the Executive Secretary. In the report, Twenty-Three (23) Undergraduate Programmes run by the University were granted Full Accreditation status while only two (2) of the Undergraduate Programmes got Interim Accreditation. Similarly, the only Postgraduate Programme evaluated during the exercise was granted Full Accreditation status. With this development, about 93.3% of the Seventy-Five Academic Programmes being run by the University of Jos now enjoy Full Accreditation status.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) is statutorily mandated to accredit Academic Programmes in all Nigerian Universities through a Quality Assurance Mechanism that ensures that these Programmes meet the minimum Academic standards and are run according to the provisions of approved Government and industry guidelines. Granting Full Accreditation status indicates that the Programme has met the necessary standards and criteria set by the NUC and can provide high quality training to the Students while preparing them for successful careers after graduation. Also, when Full Accreditation status is granted to an Academic Programme, this implies that the Programme can run for at least Five (5) Academic Sessions before another evaluation exercise is carried out to determine the Programme’s continued relevance and the quality of its offerings.
The Programmes that were granted Full Accreditation status include some flagship programmes run by the University such as Mass Communication, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Archaeology, History & International Studies, Computer Science, Architecture, Geography & Planning. Others are Building, Fine & Applied Arts, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Plant Science & Biotechnology as well as several Education related Programmes.
However, two (2) Undergraduate Programmes, Biochemistry and Geology were granted Interim Accreditation status. The University Administration has already commenced the process of addressing any shortcomings identified in order to return the two Programmes to Full Accreditation status by the next NUC Accreditation exercise.
Reacting to the cheering news, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya observed that graduates of the University will continue to be viewed more favourably by employers because Full Accreditation signifies that a Programme has met the industry’s expectations and standards. The Vice-Chancellor urged Academics and Researchers in the University to intensify their efforts towards gaining more international visibility in order to enhance the University’s reputation and credibility thereby attracting more Research Grants, donor funding and international collaborations.
Professor Tanko Ishaya commended all those whose continued efforts have contributed towards making this feat possible, especially the Director and Staff of the University’s Directorate of Academic Planning and Management, Deans of the various Faculties, Heads of Departments, Staff of the Faculties and Departments as well as Students of the affected Faculties and Departments in addition to other members of the University community.
