The London Academy of Business School, in association with the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom, has been granted permission to operate in Nigeria by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Dr. Derek Watson, an associate professor at the London Academy of Business School’s Faculty of Business Law, made this statement on Wednesday following a meeting with Chris Maiyaki, the acting executive secretary of the NUC, in Abuja.
According to Watson, the discussion with the University of Sunderland, which has more than 30 years of expertise, was really beneficial.
He claims that the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in Abuja will begin its inaugural academic session in January 2024.
In order to demonstrate management’s commitment to upholding the NUC’s regulations and the environment, he declared that students in Nigeria would be held to the same academic standards as their counterparts in the UK.
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“We launched the market first among UK universities. We have decided today that it is crucial to follow the compliance requirements.
Additionally, we would choose respectable academics from LABs who are certified lecturers and working consultants to offer our programmes.
The student will have a same educational experience to those who study in England, he assured.
The visit was made to obtain the operating licence to establish in Nigeria, according to Dr Larry Jones-Esan, President/Director of Studies at the London Academy of Business School, LABS.
“The purpose of our visit with the NUC today is to obtain recognition so that we may operate Sunderland courses in Nigeria. Therefore, acknowledgment is what we need, not NUC accreditation.
“That is very significant because if any course is offered in Nigeria without the NUC’s recognition, the degree is meaningless and the student cannot participate in NYSC.
“So, in order for us to accomplish that, we must first have their consent; otherwise, we risk shooting ourselves in the foot by going out there and beginning the student recruitment process.
“Before you get out of that, it will be too much,” he warned. “If they come here and say you are doing something illegal, you will pay a fine.”
He expressed the expectation that the programmes would be carried out in accordance with the law, the country’s structure, and the environment.
“As a result, we’ll make sure that everything we do complies with the rules. We have some really lovely rules, but if you don’t abide by them, you could get into trouble.
Two million students apply for university admissions each year in Nigeria, but only 700,000 are offered a spot. This is an issue, and we believe we have arrived at the ideal time to address it.
We appreciate the University of Sunderland representatives’ cooperation with the London Academy of Business School in ensuring that this produces results as soon as feasible, he said.
When asked if the NUC had awarded them the licencing, he responded, “This is the reason we are here. We have acquired the licence, which is recognition to operate this process. That will be done within a week, and we are confident that this will be completed fast.
“We will take over administration of the university in January 2024.”
The delegation had already visited the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, which will function as the study facility, and had been greeted by Abdul-Ganiyu Obatayinbo, the institute’s administrator.
The environment at the institution, according to Obatayinbo, is superior to that at the University of Sunderland in the UK. He also noted that the institute was charged with the duty of developing the capability of public and civil workers.
He claims that the school contains a 500-seat auditorium, 12 distinct halls with a capacity of 30 people each, hostels with 202 beds, a hospital, security quarters, a sports complex, and an entrepreneurial centre, among other amenities that would facilitate teaching and learning.
Among the courses that will be given at the undergraduate level are network system engineering, business and management, and computer science.
While at the master’s level, courses in business administration, international business management, and educational leadership, among others, will be available.
(NAN)
