NUC Accreditation Teams Urge IBBUL to Sustain Excellence and Strengthen Quality Assurance

Accreditation panels from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for Mathematics Education and Geography Education have expressed confidence in the progress made by Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, while urging the institution to consolidate on ongoing reforms that strengthen teaching, learning, and quality assurance across relevant departments.

Professor Ibrahim Galadima, who led the NUC panel for Mathematics Education during exit briefing, acknowledged the University’s advancements in curriculum development, library upgrades, and the general improvement of teaching facilities. 

He noted that core deficiencies that hindered previous accreditations particularly in methodology-based courses, staffing, and resource organization have recorded significant progress, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Mathematics Education methodology, ensuring proper course classification, and updating library materials to sustain compliance with NUC standards.

Galadima commended the cleanliness of the library complex and the availability of essential facilities but highlighted the need to replace obsolete fire extinguishers, provide sand buckets, and enhance safety protocols. 

He stressed the importance of expanding the quality assurance mechanism to the Faculty and Departmental levels to obtain direct feedback from students on lecturer performance. 

Professor Bala Dogo, who headed the Geography Education accreditation panel, aligned with the observations and remarks shared by his colleague. He commended the University for its hospitality and the openness with which staff engaged the accreditation team. 

Professor Dogo stressed the importance of maintaining a proactive approach to documentation, facility maintenance, and student feedback mechanisms, noting that these are critical ingredients for institutional growth. 

He assured the Management that the team’s recommendations are aimed at helping IBBU achieve academic excellence and retain its rising profile.

Responding,the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman appreciated the NUC teams for their constructive engagement and reaffirmed Management’s commitment to addressing all identified gaps. 

He noted that some concerns such as the absence of functional fire extinguishers in specific areas were surprising, given that most Departments currently possess these items. He directed immediate action on safety measures and pledged to strengthen the pedagogy component of Mathematics Education in line with national standards.

Professor Hadi explained the University’s staffing constraints, attributing them to the employment approval structure managed at the state government level. 

He assured the teams that recruitment into critical areas is ongoing and will reflect positively during subsequent accreditation visits, reaffirming the University’s commitment to quality assurance, explaining that mechanisms already exist but may require improved coordination between departments and the central unit. 

He expressed optimism that the next NUC visit would meet a much stronger, more robust academic environment.

The Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, expressed gratitude to the visiting teams on behalf of management, staff, and students. 

He acknowledged the sacrifice of the panel members particularly those who travelled long distances and assured them that the University values their contributions to national development, encouraging the team leads to consider returning in future accreditation cycles.

He noted that IBBU Lapai welcomes experienced assessors who bring depth and clarity to institutional evaluation.

Recalled that the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello had represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman where he welcomed the visiting accreditation teams and expressed deep appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Mr. Abdullahi Yusufu Rubado, for assembling a highly competent team of seasoned academics. 

He described the exercise as an important peer review process aimed at strengthening quality assurance, noting that although IBBU is a state-owned Institution, it has diligently prepared all required documents and readied the concerned

departments for a thorough evaluation.

Professor Bello highlighted the familiar and cordial relationship between IBBU and several members of the visiting team, acknowledging individuals such as Madam Amina, Professor Galadima, and other long-standing collaborators who have contributed to the University’s academic growth. 

He emphasized that IBBU remained one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing state universities, reiterating that the Deans, Heads of Department, and other Administrators stand ready to support the accreditation teams and ensure a seamless and productive exercise.