The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, has unveiled Blueprint 2.0, a strategic policy framework aimed at driving comprehensive reforms and repositioning the Nigerian University System (NUS) for improved quality, relevance and global competitiveness.

Ribadu unveiled the blueprint in Abuja while receiving the document from the Policy Development and Advisory Committee (PDAC), describing its completion as a major milestone in the commission’s efforts to transform university education in Nigeria.

He said Blueprint 2.0 provides a forward-looking roadmap for addressing the challenges confronting the university system while harnessing emerging opportunities to strengthen governance, quality assurance, research, innovation and institutional sustainability.

The NUC boss described the document as one of the most significant achievements of his administration, expressing confidence that it would provide a clear framework for engagement with government, development partners, universities and other stakeholders.

“If I were to leave the NUC today, I would do so with pride because of this document. I am proud of this achievement,” Ribadu said.

He disclosed that an implementation committee would be constituted to drive the execution of the blueprint’s recommendations, stressing that implementation would be closely monitored to ensure measurable impact across the identified priority areas.

According to him, the document would also be published and widely circulated to promote stakeholder engagement, ownership and periodic review as the university system evolves.

Ribadu commended members of PDAC for their dedication and professionalism, describing their contribution as a valuable service to the nation and the Nigerian University System.

“We look forward to the support and partnership of all stakeholders as we work towards building a university system that is ideal for the goals of our nation,” he said.

Earlier, the chairman of PDAC, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, said Blueprint 2.0 comprised 13 chapters developed by experts drawn from across the Nigerian University System.

Bamiro said the blueprint provides a comprehensive roadmap for reforming the sector, covering critical areas such as access to university education, curriculum re-engineering, infrastructure development, staffing, graduate employability, research productivity, governance, funding, ICT integration, gender equity and innovation for wealth creation.

He said the Committee also identified additional areas requiring sustained attention, including periodic needs assessment of public universities, the establishment of a Nigerian Labour Market Observatory, improved funding for the NUC, long-term financial sustainability of universities and clearer Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention priorities.

Other areas highlighted include the internationalisation of Nigerian universities, increased funding for research and innovation, and stronger governance structures in federal universities.

Also speaking, a member of PDAC and Director of Special Projects at the NUC, Dr Joshua Atah, thanked the Executive Secretary for providing the Committee with the opportunity to contribute to what he described as a landmark reform initiative.

He urged stakeholders in the higher education sector to support the implementation of Blueprint 2.0, stressing that its success would depend on collective commitment to translating its recommendations into concrete and sustainable reforms.

The blueprint is designed as a strategic guide for policymakers, regulators, universities and other stakeholders to ensure that reforms within the Nigerian University System are coherent, coordinated and capable of producing measurable improvements in the quality and relevance of university education. (Nigerian Tribune)

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