The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has shut down 22 unaccredited Colleges of Education following a massive crackdown on illegal colleges of education in the country.

Although the names of the affected tertiary institutions have not been made public, the commission hinted that the institutions fall short of its required standard after NCCE conducted personnel audit, financial monitoring in all the 21 federal colleges of education

“The NCCE identified and shut down 22 illegal Colleges of Education operating across the country.

“The NCCE conducted personnel audit, financial monitoring in all the 21 federal colleges of education,” the commission said on its website.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu recently urged the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and the National Commission for Colleges of Education to eliminate illegal higher education institutions in the country.

Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja, the President ordered the NUC, the NBTE, and other relevant agencies to take decisive action against what he described as “certificate millers” who undermine the credibility of the education sector.

Tinubu, represented by Rakiya Ilyasu, the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, emphasized that the integrity of the academic system must be upheld.

“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” the President said.

He added, “The National Youth Service Corps, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education are working in alignment to improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognised institutions both within and outside the country have no place in our education ecosystem.”