During a recent visit by The Nigeria Education News team to the University of Offa (UNIOFFA) in Kwara State, the physical state of the institution sparked fresh conversations around educational standards and accreditation processes in Nigeria. While private ownership and educational expansion are encouraged nationwide, questions linger on the level of infrastructure deemed acceptable for university status. The University of Offa is an accredited private institution in Nigeria, officially approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as one of the 20 new universities endorsed by the Federal Executive Council in February 2021.
What greeted our reporters was a surprisingly modest layout for an institution bearing the weighty title of “university.” The entire facility appeared to revolve around three main structures: a small gatehouse/security post at the entrance, a central administrative block within the compound, and a classroom building presumably for lectures. There was also a mosque constructed within the school environment, but no sign of student hostels, laboratories, or a library—elements many consider essential for quality tertiary education.
While no one disputes that great institutions often start small, the concern for many observers is the apparent dissonance between the name and the current scale of the school. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” one staff member said when asked about the state of development, adding that construction and expansion are ongoing. Yet, for a university that has already commenced academic activities, the reality of what is on the ground left many puzzled.
In response to our inquiries, a school representative confirmed that students are indeed being admitted into programmes such as Accounting, Microbiology, Mass Communication, Computer Science, Cyber Security, and Vocational & Technical Education, among others. This confirmation immediately triggered a more fundamental question: under what framework or criteria did this institution get its university status?
Dr. Rasaq Oyewale, the founder and proprietor of UNIOFFA, is known in Kwara State for his investment in education. He owns a wide range of educational institutions, including Omolabake Nursery and Primary Schools, Omolabake College, a College of Education in Ilemona, and has proposed both the University of Offa and a Polytechnic in Ojoku. He is also the CEO of Rak Unity Petroleum. These achievements underscore his passion for education and capacity for institution-building.
However, the existence of multiple institutions under one umbrella does not necessarily equate to readiness for running a full-fledged university. The absence of standard facilities—such as lecture theatres, research laboratories, libraries, and ICT hubs—poses real concern for the quality of education that can be offered, regardless of the ambition behind the project.
Some stakeholders argue that Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC) must revisit and tighten its criteria for granting operational licenses. While the NUC stipulates that certain basic requirements must be met, the practical enforcement of these guidelines appears to be increasingly questioned, especially when institutions with glaring infrastructural gaps are allowed to operate.
Education remains a critical pillar of national development, and the role of private universities is undeniably important in absorbing Nigeria’s ballooning youth population. Still, there is an urgent need to balance expansion with quality control. If unchecked, poorly equipped institutions may contribute to producing half-baked graduates and dilute the overall integrity of the Nigerian university system.
To be fair, there is a commendable spirit behind the establishment of UNIOFFA. The founder clearly envisions an educational ecosystem that fosters inclusion and accessibility. But vision alone is not enough—implementation matters. Stakeholders, including regulators and local communities, must come together to ensure that such noble efforts do not fall short of standard.
In a country where millions of students are denied access to university education due to limited space in public institutions, the rise of private universities is both a solution and a risk. When properly managed and adequately funded, they can bridge gaps. But without the right oversight and infrastructure, they risk becoming degree mills that weaken national academic credibility.
As the University of Offa continues to grow, the hope remains that the institution will quickly evolve beyond its skeletal beginnings and rise to meet the expectations that come with being a university in name and function. The goal should not merely be about getting approved, but about becoming a centre of learning that meets both national and international standards.
