The Nigerian Ministry of Education has confirmed the accreditation status of Maryam Abacha University, Maradi, Niger Republic.
The confirmation came more than a month after Nigeria’s National University Commission questioned the degrees awarded by the school, warning Nigerian students against enrolling in the university’s programmes.
But defending the institution, the Nigerien embassy in Abuja, in a letter dated Monday, July 27, 2015, and addressed to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denied that the school was an illegal institution.
“The institution fulfils all required terms and regulations enforced in that country,” the embassy said.
The Nigerian education ministry has written to the Maryam Abacha University to confirm the accreditation of the school.
The ministry said it worked with the NUC to resolve the controversy.
“The federal Ministry of Education and the National University Commission (NUC) have resolved the issue surrounding the accreditation status of Maryam Abacha American University, Maradi, Niger Republic,” said the letter signed by J. N. Ibe, the director of Education Support Services.
The letter, presented to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said that Maryam Abacha American University of Niger is on the ministry’s list of accredited Universities.
“The University accreditation agreement was contained in the Niger ministerial order No.000241/MES/R/I/SG/DGE/DL/DES/DEPRI dated 26th November, 2013 delivered by the Diaspora, Niamey, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria,” the letter stated.
Maryam Abacha American University runs undergraduate degrees in core sciences, social sciences and the arts and it is expected to graduate its first set of students in 2016.
