The federal government has reiterated it would not tolerate the operations of illegal and unapproved satellite campuses in the country, warning that it would sanction any institution going against it stance.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa said in a memo issued on Wednesday that any satellite campus operating without approval by their respective regulatory agencies: the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education and the National Colleges of Education will face sanctions.
“Many of these newly created Satellite campuses lack the necessary academic, strategic, and infrastructural backing to justify their existence,” he said.
Alausa emphasised that the unapproved proliferation of satellite campuses undermines the integrity, quality, and sustainability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
“Rather than focusing on improving existing campuses, some Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts are diverting limited resources to set up inadequately equipped new Satellite campuses, which is counterproductive and detrimental to educational standards.”
Alausa therefore, directed the NUC, NBTE and NCCE to “formally inform all Federal tertiary institutions under their purview that henceforth, no satellite campus is to be established without the express approval of the Minister of Education through these regulatory agencies.”
He also stressed that “Failure to comply with this directive will not be treated lightly and will attract appropriate disciplinary measures.”
