The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 13 new degree programmes for Nigerian universities as part of efforts to modernise higher education, strengthen academic relevance, and align the country’s learning system with global standards. The new programmes, according to a circular issued to vice-chancellors across the country, will be incorporated into the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) beginning from the 2025/2026 academic session. The Commission noted that the move forms part of its strategic reforms aimed at producing graduates equipped with relevant skills to thrive in the fast-evolving global economy.
In the circular dated October 22, 2025, the NUC explained that experts drawn from the Nigerian university system had earlier developed 70 percent of the national curriculum content for the programmes, while each university is expected to design the remaining 30 percent based on its unique strengths and context. This arrangement, the Commission said, allows for both national uniformity and institutional innovation, ensuring that Nigerian universities maintain a balance between core standards and local realities. The NUC added that universities wishing to offer any of the approved programmes must undergo a successful resource verification exercise before they can commence admission.
The newly approved degree programmes include B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence, B.Sc. Intelligence and Security Studies, B.Eng. Nuclear Engineering, B.Sc. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, B.Eng. Geomatics Engineering, B.Sc. Telecommunication Science, B.Sc. Islamic Economics and Finance, B.Sc. Parasitology and Entomology, B.Ed. Classical Christian Education, B.Ed. Human Kinetics (Sports Management), B.Sc. Community Health Sciences, B.Sc. Cooperative Economics and Management, and B.Sc. Nuclear Science. The Commission said the selection of these programmes was carefully informed by current global developments and the future direction of work, technology, and sustainable development.
According to the NUC, the approval of these programmes marks a decisive step towards ensuring that Nigerian universities do not lag behind in emerging disciplines shaping the 21st-century economy. It emphasised that fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Nuclear Engineering, and Intelligence Studies have become crucial to national development, security, and industrial advancement. The Commission further noted that incorporating these courses into university offerings will help bridge skill gaps and prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in high-demand sectors.
