The National Universities Commission (NUC) has listed 58 illegal universities operating in Nigeria.
The names include those claiming to be affiliates of foreign universities in the country.
Also, nine degree mills are currently undergoing further investigations and/or court actions.
The development followed the suspension of degree certificates from two Francophone West African countries after an undercover journalist detailed how he acquired a degree from a university in Benin Republic under two months and was deployed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In the list below, institutions that have “other campuses” are indicated with “others”; those ‘”operating anywhere in Nigeria” have “anywhere” as suffix. They are as follows:
University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra State, or any of its other campuses; University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses; University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Blacksmith University, Akwa, or any of its other campuses; Volta University College, HO, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Royal University, Izhia, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, or any of its other campuses; Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State, or any of its other campuses; United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses; and United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra State, or any of its other campuses.
Others are: Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State, or any of its other campuses; UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State, or any of its other campuses; Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Pleateu State, or any of its other campuses; The International University, Missouri, U.S.A., Kano and Lagos studies centres, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Collumbus University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Tiu International University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria; and Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
The NUC also listed: West African Christian University, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Bolta University College, Aba, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University), Kaduna, illegal campus; Western University, Esie, Kwara State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; St. Andrews University College, Abuja, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; EC-Council USA, Ikeja, Lagos Study Centre; Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Concept College/Universities (London), Ilorin, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria; and Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.
Also listed as illegal are: Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo State, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria; Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija Anambra State; Open International University, Akure; Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo; Lead Way University, Ugheli, Delta State; Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja; Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam), Ndoki, Rivers State; Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State; Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja; Temple University, Abuja; Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria; National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State; . University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and its annex at 41, Ikorodu Road, Lagos; University of Education, Wenneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating in Nigeria; African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pacific Western University, Denver Colorado, Oweri Study Centre; and Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
The others listed as illegal are: Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko campus); Career Light Resources Centre, Jos; University of West Africa, Kwali Abuja, FCT; Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom State; Kaduna Business School, Kaduna; Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger State; West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology, Nigeria, operating anywhere in Nigeria; and Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, 165 Isolo Road, Cele bus stop, Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos.
In addition to the closure, the following degree mills are currently undergoing further investigations and/or ongoing court actions.
The purpose of the actions is to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and charges on subscribers.
They are: National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Otukpo. Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State; West Coast University, Umuahia; Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; Volta University College, Aba, Abia State; Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University; and L.I.F.E Leadership University, Benin City, Edo State.
The NUC said anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of the listed illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk.