Stakeholders raise concern as Nigerien university seeks accreditation in Nigeria
The Union of Concerned Academias, UCA, has called for a thorough investigation into the operations and credibility of Université Internationale Annahada, a Niger Republic–based institution allegedly seeking accreditation and recognition from Nigerian authorities.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the UCA Secretary-General, Ayanlola Ayanyimika, said the union was alarmed by “disturbing photographic evidence and field intelligence” suggesting that the university’s facilities fall far below acceptable standards for a tertiary institution.
“These images, which are available for verification, depict a setting unfit for academic learning, raising serious questions about the institution’s legitimacy, governance, and capacity to deliver credible higher education,” Mr Ayanyimika said.
According to Daily Nigerian, Ayanyimika warned that granting such an institution any form of accreditation could damage the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and erode public trust in how the country evaluates foreign academic qualifications.
The UCA therefore appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to order a full investigation into the institution’s operations in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Niger.
“The union respectfully calls on the Minister of Education to, as was done with institutions in the Republic of Benin and Togo, mandate an immediate physical inspection and verification of Université Internationale Annahada by the Ministry’s Accreditation and Evaluation Department to ascertain the true condition and authenticity of its academic operations,” he said.
The group also urged the ministry to suspend all ongoing evaluation or recognition activities connected to the school pending the outcome of the inspection and to strengthen internal controls to ensure that the assessment of foreign certificates strictly adheres to quality assurance and ethical standards.
“Our call is not a condemnation but a proactive measure to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and to ensure that no unqualified or substandard institution gains undue legitimacy within our national framework,” Mr Ayanyimika added.
He stressed that maintaining strict oversight was crucial to protecting the credibility of Nigeria’s higher-education regulatory system in an era of growing transnational academic exchange.
