The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved thirteen new degree programmes for Nigerian universities as part of its ongoing reforms to align higher education with global academic and technological trends.
In a circular released on October 22, 2025, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, the Commission directed all Vice-Chancellors to circulate the newly approved programmes and begin preparations for their implementation in the 2025/2026 academic session, subject to successful Resource Assessment Visits.
The newly approved courses include:
B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence
B.Ed. Classical Christian Education
B.Ed. Human Kinetics (Sport Management)
B.Eng. Geomatics Engineering
B.CHS. 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
According to the circular, experts from universities across the country participated in developing the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for the new programmes, which constitute 70 percent of the academic content. Universities are expected to design the remaining 30 percent to reflect their institutional strengths and priorities.
Prof. Ribadu stated that the move underscores the NUC’s commitment to quality assurance, academic relevance, and ensuring that Nigerian university education keeps pace with emerging global disciplines.
The introduction of these courses marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s higher education system, especially with the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Engineering, two of the fastest-growing and most impactful fields worldwide.
