Foreword

In furtherance of the “change” mantra of the present administration, I published a roadmap to guide my Ministry on ways of addressing the multiple problems that faced the education sector of the country shortly after my assumption of office in 2016. Known as “Education for Change: Ministerial Strategic Plan – 2016-2019” (updated to 2018-2022), the content of the document reaffirms government’s commitment to strengthening institutional structures and establishing innovative approaches that would quickly revamp the education sector.

The nations’ universities hold a pride of place in the execution of such a strategy, being at the peak of the educational system and charged in an overall manner, with the responsibility of catalysing the sustainable and inclusive growth and prosperity that the “change” mantra envisions.

Thus, a “rapid revitalization of the Nigerian university system”, which is proceeding apace, became imperative. Improvement in research, teaching and learning facilities, deepening ICT penetration and the provision of enhanced power supply in our university campuses are some of the areas receiving stringent attention. In the same vein, the need was felt to radically review the curricula which universities had used for more than a decade so as to put in place one that would more directly address local issues, meet international standards and is fit for purpose for the training of 21st century graduates.

The National Universities Commission has concluded the review of the former Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) of 14 disciplines into those of Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) of 17 disciplines. I am therefore pleased to present these documents to the universities, the general public and the international community as I am sure that their application would tremendously uplift scholarship in our universities. I thank all and sundry who worked assiduously to bring this seminal enterprise to fruition.

Malam Adamu Adamu
Honourable Minister of Education