A coalition of academics, students, alumni and concerned citizens has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take urgent regulatory action against social media comedians and content creators who misuse the term “university.”
In a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary and Board of the NUC, the coalition condemned the growing trend of parody institutions such as “Geh Geh University” and “Blessing CEO University.” It argued that this practice is not simply harmless entertainment but a threat to the credibility and value of Nigerian higher education.
According to Dr Charles Ekeh, spokesperson for the Coalition for the Protection of Academic Integrity in Nigeria, “The term ‘university’ is a legally protected designation earned through rigorous accreditation. Allowing comedians to appropriate this title undermines its meaning and disrespects the years of commitment and excellence invested in genuine academic institutions.”
He maintained that the use of “university” by social media personalities diminishes the academic standards and respect commanded by properly accredited institutions. The coalition further stressed that the NUC Act explicitly prohibits the use of the word “university” without official authorisation, warning that failure to act against these parody platforms weakens the authority of the regulator.
Ekeh cautioned that while some audiences may view such content as light-hearted comedy, unsuspecting individuals could be misled into believing that these parodies offer legitimate courses or certificates, thereby exposing them to potential scams.
He added that genuine Nigerian universities play a vital role in national development and global competitiveness, and equating them with comedic social media pages undermines their local and international standing.
According to him, tolerating such misuse of the term “university” sets a dangerous precedent, as fraudulent degree mills could exploit the “comedy” label, further complicating the fight against academic fraud in Nigeria.
The coalition outlined a series of demands, including:
A public statement by the NUC condemning the unauthorised use of the term “university.”
The issuance of cease-and-desist orders to offending social media accounts.
Collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission and social media platforms to enforce compliance.
The launch of a public awareness campaign to help Nigerians distinguish accredited institutions from fakes.
Ekeh emphasised that the protest is not an attempt to stifle creativity or humour, but rather to safeguard the integrity of the education system.
“Defending the integrity of our academic institutions is not a joke,” he said.
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