For operating without legal licences, the National Universities Commission, NUC, has shut down nine universities in Nigeria.

The affected institutions were published in the weekly bulletin of the NUC, this is according to the reports from our press crew.

It was gathered that the publication was signed by the NUC’s executive secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, stating that the universities which had been in existence for years, and have been used to extort money from innocent students who were giving fake certificates in return.

The affected universities are; National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu; Abia State and Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Others are West Coast University, Umuahia, Volta University College, Aba, Abia State and the satellite campuses of Ambrose Ali University.

The publications also reveal that: “In addition to the closure, the following `Degree Mills’ are currently undergoing court actions; the purpose of these actions is to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees and charges on subscribers.

 “For the avoidance of doubt, anybody who patronises or obtains any certificate from any of these illegal institutions does so at his or her own risk.

“Certificates obtained from these sources will not be recognised for the purposes of NYSC, employment and further studies.”

NUC also urged Nigerians to dissociate themselves from the institutions and their certificates.

Meanwhile, Okojie had recently disclosed that the NUC has recommended nine new private universities to President Goodluck Jonathan for approval.

The commission scribe also stated that they are considering introduction of a pre-Doctoral Programme in the postgraduate studies in Nigerian universities.

Okojie made the statement while speaking at an interactive session with Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN),

He explained that the proposed private universities had been approved by the NUC Governing Board.

Okojie, however, said the proposals sent to the president through the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, would also receive the input and approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).