The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to strengthen the regulatory powers of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and ordered an investigation into the alleged unlawful management structure of Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State.
The bill, titled the National Universities Commission Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, seeks to provide a stronger legal framework for the regulation of universities and enhance the commission’s capacity to enforce compliance with established standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The proposed legislation comes amid concerns over university governance, regulatory oversight and accountability, including the controversy surrounding the management structure of Tansian University.
Following its passage for second reading, the lawmakers referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for further legislative scrutiny.
The committee was given four weeks to examine the proposed legislation and report back to the Senate.
The proposed reform is expected to strengthen the NUC’s oversight capacity, clarify regulatory responsibilities and address institutional governance concerns affecting universities across the country.
The Senate’s decision to investigate the alleged unlawful management structure at Tansian University is expected to bring further scrutiny to the governance dispute at the institution in Umunya, Anambra State.
The controversy has raised questions about the legality of the university’s management arrangements and the extent to which institutional authorities comply with applicable laws and regulatory directives.
The investigation is expected to provide an opportunity for the relevant issues surrounding the university’s management structure to be examined through the appropriate legislative process.
If enacted, the NUC reform bill would provide a stronger legal foundation for university regulation, improve accountability and reinforce compliance with the standards governing Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The committee’s report, expected after four weeks, will guide further legislative consideration of the proposed reform before the bill proceeds to subsequent stages of the lawmaking process.