Abuja, Nigeria – Officials from the London Academy Business School (LABS) and the University of Sunderland are currently in discussions with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to gain approval for running degree programs in Nigeria.
A delegation from the University of Sunderland, led by Dr. Derek Watson, confirmed this development following a meeting held in Abuja with the acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki. The aim is to bring the high academic standards of the University of Sunderland to Nigerian students while adhering to NUC’s guidelines and regulations.
Dr. Watson, an associate professor from the faculty of business law and tourism, emphasized the importance of following compliance procedures and sourcing qualified academics to deliver the programs in Nigeria. He assured that students in Nigeria would receive the same academic experience as their counterparts in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Larry Jones-Esan, President/Director of Studies at LABS, explained that their visit to NUC was to seek recognition and approval to run the University of Sunderland courses in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of receiving NUC’s recognition, as without it, the degrees would not be valid, and graduates could face difficulties, such as ineligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In addition, the team has identified the Nigerian Public Service Institute along Kubwa Road, Abuja, as the study center for these programs. The institute’s administrator and CEO, Abdul-Ganiyu Obatayinbo, welcomed the partnership and emphasized the conducive learning environment provided by the institute. The facility offers amenities such as a 500-seat auditorium, multiple halls, hostels, a hospital, security quarters, a sports complex, and an entrepreneurship center.
The courses to be offered include computer science, business and management, network system engineering at the undergraduate level, and business administration, international business management, education leadership, among others, at the master’s level.
This collaborative effort aims to enhance educational opportunities for Nigerian students and provide access to high-quality international degree programs.