Maryam Abacha American University, NUC square up over degrees

Although the university said it has yet to award any degree to students, the NUC, in a statement, said degrees awarded by the school would not be recognised in Nigeria.The statement said MAAUN admits students into various degree programmes, mostly on part-time basis, adding that such an arrangement breached the Nigerian policy on university admission.The […]

Although the university said it has yet to award any degree to students, the NUC, in a statement, said degrees awarded by the school would not be recognised in Nigeria.
The statement said MAAUN admits students into various degree programmes, mostly on part-time basis, adding that such an arrangement breached the Nigerian policy on university admission.
The statement read in part: “Cross boarder part-time is not allowed in Nigeria and, as a matter of policy, no student in Nigeria graduates in less than three years. Also, the stipulations for an award of degree in science, engineering, health and allied sciences in Nigeria requires that a student must be exposed to theoretical and practical knowledge, including clinic practical for health sciences.
“The Maryam Abacha American University breaches all these requirements and, as such, their degrees are not recognised in Nigeria. It is inconceivable that a university can award degrees after three days lecture, per semester, and for four semesters.”
It advised prospective candidates not to patronise the university as the commission cannot guarantee the quality of all degrees from the university.
However, the management of MAAUN rejected NUC’s claims, describing them as “blackmail and orchestrated campaigns of calumny.”
Mr. Moses David Lorchihi, on behalf of the management of MAAUN, described NUC’s approach in a statement as an indictment of international policy, alleging that it has violated diplomatic channels of communication and other relevant diplomatic norms.
It also said the institution has received a letter of recognition issued to it by the NUC and federal ministry of education.
The statement from the MAAUN said:  “It is on record that on 7th April, one Ajayi Eunice of the State House medical centre, Abuja wrote the National University Commission (NUC) to verify the status of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger with the commission. In its response ref: NUC/AS/PRV/VOL.1/105 dated 9th April 2015, the NUC stated inter alia ‘I am to add that the Republic of Niger is one of the countries that have a bilateral agreement with Nigeria. Therefore, any approval by the Republic of Niger is recognised by Nigeria.’ The letter was signed by Director, Academic Standards, Dr. G. B. Kumo, for the executive Secretary of NUC.”
“We condemn in totality the double standards approach of the National Universities Commission, Abuja, Nigeria, for recognising the approval of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger and turning round, after three months, to say the contrary.”
MAAUN also said the NUC did not in anyway make any visitation to the university since its inception in 2013 and wondered why the NUC should be desperate to disown degrees that have not yet been awarded. 
Daily Trust also saw a letter from a student, who said she was offered admission into MAAUN, asking if it is possible to have a degree in Nursing Science in four semesters.
But NUC spokesperson, Ibrahim Usman Yakasai, described the MAAUN’s statement as a collection of “invectives” and a confirmation of the issues raised by the commission.
He said: “We never questioned the approval status of that university in Niger. We just raised issues of quality as pertaining Nigeria. We cannot guarantee the quality of their degree. It doesn’t appear that somebody could go to a university like that and get a good degree.
“In this country, nobody graduates in less than two years. It is not done in this country.”
He said the commission was not joining issues with the management on whether the university has approval to operate in Niger or not nor does it question the existence of bilateral relation between Nigeria and Niger.
“We don’t advise Nigerians to go there because the degree they will get is not a quality degree and cannot be used in this country for the purposes of NYSC and employment or promotion.
“In most cases, you find out that it is only Nigerians that are admitted into such universities, especially students who could not get admission in the country, because they failed to meet the requirement.”
The Maryam Abacha University listed in its statement copies of letters of approval it received from the Nigerian federal ministry of education and verification of institutional status by NUC, adding that the NYSC was copied the letter.
The NUC spokesman, however, said that the statement showed that the MAAUN has omitted the paragraph that covers the commission’s stand.
He said the omitted part read: “I am to add that while it is an approved university of the Republic of Niger, it is not within the purview of the commission to regulate universities outside the shores of the country and, consequently, the commission is constrained to guarantee the quality of degrees obtained from this university.”
Yakasai said Nigeria “does not allow offshore part-time, called cross-border education.”
Some documents obtained by the Daily Trust included copies of admission letters from the school and verification of institutional status.
The admission letters indicated admission of student to study BSc Nursing Science and BSc Medical Laboratory Science for the duration of four semesters under the study format of part-time. 
The NUC spokesman added: “When we are asked to give our informed opinion by Nigerians about universities outside the country, we look at the parameters and look at the politics and advise them appropriately. You can’t do nursing in two years and you can’t do a degree in four semesters with only three contact session. We can’t advise Nigerians to go and get a substandard degree because it’s not functional here.”
NUC has similarly condemned cross-border education in institutions in other countries including Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana, International University of East Africa, Kampala, Uganda, and Formation University, Cotonou, Benin.
However, MAAUN urged its students and their parents to disregard NUC’s “tissue of lies and insinuations”, adding that “Our university is a fully licensed institution in Niger Republic, a country that is well known for its law and order.”