The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the approval of thirteen additional academic programmes for Nigerian universities as part of its efforts to strengthen the nation’s higher education system and align degree offerings with modern global trends.
The approval, which was contained in an official circular dated 22nd October 2025 and signed by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Abdullah Yusuf Ribadu, serves as an addendum to the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). The new programmes were developed by expert panels drawn from various Nigerian universities.
According to the circular, the newly approved degree programmes are targeted at emerging fields and critical sectors of the economy, particularly in science, technology, health, security, and education. The move, the NUC noted, is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s human capital and improving the competitiveness of university graduates on the international stage.
The newly approved programmes include:
- B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence
- B.Ed. Classical Christian Education
- B.Ed. Human Kinetics (Sport Management)
- B.Eng. Genomics Engineering
- H.CIS Community Health Science
- B.Sc. Intelligence and Security Studies
- B.Sc. Islamic Economics and Finance
- B.Sc. Parasitology and Entomology
- B.Sc. Telecommunication Science
- B.Sc. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
- B.Sc. Cooperative Economics and Management
- B.Sc. Nuclear Science
- B.Eng. Nuclear Engineering
The NUC further directed all universities to immediately circulate the updated CCMAS document to relevant faculties, departments, and academic planning units. Institutions interested in mounting any of the newly approved programmes are expected to begin implementation in the 2025/2026 academic session, subject to successful resource verification visits.
Universities were also reminded that 30 percent of institutional-based curriculum content must be developed internally to reflect their unique academic identity, in accordance with CCMAS guidelines.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuous curriculum reform, noting that the new courses will help prepare Nigerian students for future-driven careers, promote research innovation, and respond to evolving national and global needs.
