Nigeria Content Online

The federal government yesterday
withdrew the operational license of the Ondo State University of
Science and Technology (OSUTECH), Okitipupa, in Ondo State.

According to documents released in
Abuja after an emergency meeting with the management of the National
Universities Commission (NUC), the action was taken because of concerns
about the school’s academic performance and admissions policies.

The school had not commenced academic
activities since it was formally recognised in 2008 and all application
forms of the school’s candidates had been sent to be absorbed by the
nearby Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

“Having waited for two academic
sessions, with no activity taking place, it has become obvious that the
university is not ready to commence academic activities,” said the
commission’s executive secretary, Julius Okojie.

Also evidence showed that the
University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, may have submitted fictitious
evidence to get approval for the school.

No evidence of a school

NUC officials who visited the site of
the school found that the stated infrastructural facilities, that had
been listed along with the application did not exist at the school’s
location.

“This was verified by the NUC Investigative Panel that held
consultations with stakeholders on the matter,” read an NUC letter to
the Ikere-Ekiti administration. “The hostility to staff and students at
the proposed location of the university is a serious challenge which
the NUC cannot ignore.” The NUC has given the University of Education,
Ikere-Ekiti, less than two weeks to sort out “the seeming
misunderstanding on the location of the institution.” “If, by August
15, 2010, the proprietor of the University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti,
is unable to meet the conditions under which the recognition to operate
as a degree-awarding institution was given in January 2008 and
regularise the anomalies found by the fact-fining team, the
commission’s recognition of your university will be withdrawn.” The
commission has informed the governors of Ondo and Ekiti States of its
decision.