The former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, has reaffirmed his commitment to promoting education in Nigeria, particularly through Transnational Education (TNE), which he described as a tool for expanding access and raising standards in the tertiary education sector.
Mr. Maiyaki stated this in Abuja as he retired after 35 years of meritorious service to the Commission and the nation.
He explained that “the launch of Nigeria’s TNE guidelines in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2024, opened new opportunities for foreign investors to establish branch campuses in Nigeria, reducing the pressure on foreign exchange and providing more admission spaces for Nigerian students.”
According to him, “the country’s 309 universities can only accommodate between 500,000 and 700,000 candidates out of over two million applicants annually, underscoring the need for alternative access through transnational partnerships.”
He said his years of service with the NUC were both rewarding and challenging, urging young public servants to uphold integrity, diligence, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Maiyaki also called for deliberate and sustained investment in education, including infrastructure, technology, and curriculum reforms that align with global best practices, to make Nigerian universities more competitive.
On the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), he advocated for a balanced resolution strategy that prioritises the survival and stability of the education system.
Maiyaki retired as a Deputy Executive Secretary from the NUC on October 17, 2025, after serving the Commission in various capacities, including as Acting Executive Secretary between 2023 and 2024.