Midocean university degrees no longer valid in Nigeria, says NUC

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced the withdrawal of recognition for academic qualifications awarded by Midocean University, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), following the institution’s loss of recognition status by the UAE government.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on the Commission’s official X handle and signed by Rita N. Okonjo, Director of Public Affairs.

According to the statement, the NUC received a communication from the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), which conveyed a notification from the Government of the United Arab Emirates regarding the withdrawal of the recognition status of Midocean University.

Consequently, the Commission stated that the recognition previously accorded to the university has been withdrawn, rendering all certificates, diplomas, degrees, and other academic qualifications issued by the institution invalid for official purposes in Nigeria.

“Consequently, the recognition previously accorded to Midocean University, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, is hereby withdrawn.

“Accordingly, certificates, diplomas, degrees, and all other academic qualifications awarded by the institution shall no longer be recognized for the purposes of employment, further studies, credential evaluation, professional registration, or any other official purpose within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Commission therefore advises prospective students, parents, employers, educational institutions, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to take note of this development and exercise due diligence by verifying the recognition status of foreign institutions and their academic programmes before seeking admission, accepting qualifications, or entering into academic collaborations,” the statement read

The NUC explained that qualifications obtained from Midocean University will no longer be recognized for employment, further studies, credential evaluation, professional registration, or any other official purpose within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Commission advised prospective students, parents, employers, educational institutions, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to take note of the development and exercise caution when dealing with foreign institutions.

It urged members of the public to verify the recognition status of foreign universities and their academic programmes before seeking admission, accepting qualifications, or entering into academic collaborations.

The NUC also called on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), employers of labour, tertiary institutions, professional regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to be guided by the directive.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining standards in the nation’s higher education sector, the Commission said it would continue to provide timely information on the status of institutions and academic programmes to safeguard the integrity, quality, and credibility of qualifications recognized in Nigeria.

The Commission advised members of the public seeking further clarification on the matter to contact the NUC through its official communication channels.