A 14-member team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) visited Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko, Kwara State, on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, to conduct a comprehensive resource verification exercise for the proposed postgraduate programmes at the institution.
The verification process aims to assess the institution’s readiness to commence a broad spectrum of postgraduate programmes, including Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programmes in Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Criminology and Security, Mass Communication, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science, and Software Engineering, with the addition of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Cybersecurity.
In her welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, expressed confidence in the institution's capacity to deliver on its academic mandates. She stated, "We are the light of Kwara South, and we have been able to attract positive attention and people from different parts of the world. All our programmes are fully accredited, and we are proud to be a self-sustaining institution."
Prof. Oladipo further emphasized the university’s commitment to academic excellence while seeking guidance from the visiting team. “We want you to see us as your mentees. Your recommendations and mentorship will help us refine our postgraduate programmes to meet global standards,” she added.
Leading the NUC delegation, Prof. Umar Adamu of the Department of Public Administration, Gombe State University, assured the university of a thorough evaluation process. "Our assignment is simple. We have a checklist to effectively assess your staffing, facilities, classrooms, and other critical areas. Our team of experts will provide recommendations on areas that need improvement," Prof. Adamu said.
The resource verification exercise involved a detailed assessment of the university's academic and infrastructural capacities, such as the library, e-library, School of Postgraduate Studies, Technical and Vocational Training Centre, and various departments of the proposed post graduate programmes.
During the exit briefing, the team commended the university for its efforts in establishing robust postgraduate programmes. They also provided recommendations and suggestions to help TAU achieve its vision of running high-standard postgraduate degrees.
The 14-member team included distinguished academics such as Prof. Nurudeen Abu, Professor of Economics and Director of Academic Planning at Baba-Ahmed University, Kano; Prof. Fatima Umar Maigari, Director of Research and Development at Gombe State University; Prof. Christianah I. Ayolabi, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Lagos; Prof. Mainasara Yakubu Kurfi, Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Ukwuoma Peace, Assoc. Prof. Fatima Umar Zambule, Shettima Baba Goni, and other distinguished academia.
The visit underscored TAU's dedication to academic excellence and its resolve to meet the rigorous requirements for postgraduate education. As the university awaits the NUC's final verdict, it continues to affirm its position as a leading institution in Kwara South and beyond.
