COPSUN Advocates for Professional Bodies in University Accreditation

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) has requested that the National Universities Commission (NUC) incorporate members of professional bodies into its university accreditation teams. This call was made in a communiqué issued on Monday in Ibadan, signed by COPSUN chairman Professor Ayodeji Omole, following the committee's 73rd quarterly meeting.

COPSUN expressed concerns over the increasing interference of professional regulatory bodies in university governance, which they believe places undue pressure on universities. They argued that the NUC, as the regulatory authority, should be legally empowered to maintain overriding authority over university administration, while professional bodies should only participate as part of the accreditation team led by the NUC.

The communiqué highlighted issues such as multiple overlapping exercises conducted by these bodies, including resource verification and accreditation, which contribute to what COPSUN termed "accreditation fatigue" within the university system.