Nigeria is set to integrate short, skill-based courses into its university system as part of reforms aimed at modernising higher education and aligning academic programmes with evolving labour market demands.
The initiative, driven by the National Universities Commission in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada, seeks to develop national guidelines for embedding these short certifications within existing degree programmes.
The proposed courses are designed to equip students with specific competencies in areas such as digital technology, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and project management.
Unlike traditional degree programmes that span several years, the short courses can be completed within weeks or months and are tailored to meet industry needs.
Declaring open a two-day stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja on the development of a national framework, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, said the initiative would not replace conventional degrees but provide flexible learning options to enhance access, strengthen skills development and improve employability.
Represented by the NUC Director of Research, Innovation and Information Technology, Lawal Faruk, Ribadu said discussions would focus on quality assurance standards, credit transfer systems, institutional readiness and how the courses can support lifelong learning.
He described the reform as a strategic
response to the fast-changing demands of the 21st-century economy, where specialised skills are increasingly valued alongside traditional academic qualifications.
In his goodwill message, the President of the Commonwealth of Learning, Prof. Peter Scott, commended Nigeria for embracing flexible, skills-oriented learning models in line with global trends.
Participants drawn from regulatory agencies, public and private universities and development partners are expected to produce a draft framework tailored to Nigeria’s needs, ensuring the short courses are credible, quality-assured and aligned with labour market demands.
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