The National Universities Commission (NUC) has urged the management of Cosmopolitan University, Abuja, to maintain high academic standards following the award of a permanent operational licence to the institution.

The licence was presented on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at the NUC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carl Adams, who was accompanied by the University Registrar, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad.

The award followed the successful completion of the university’s three-year probationary period, during which the NUC assessed its academic activities, staff strength, student enrolment and institutional processes.

Speaking during the presentation, Professor Ribadu said the Commission was satisfied with the progress made by the university during the review period. He explained that the assessment was necessary to ensure that universities met the required standards before receiving permanent operational licences.

He noted that institutions were expected to demonstrate that they had the right structures, qualified staff and systems in place to deliver quality education.

Professor Ribadu also explained that some universities that did not fully meet the required standards had been given additional time to address identified gaps.

He urged Cosmopolitan University to build on its achievements and remain committed to quality in its academic programmes, staff recruitment and student admission.

“This is just the beginning because it is now that you have a solid foundation. Now, you are a university and not just in a probationary period,” he said.

The NUC Executive Secretary stressed that the award of a permanent licence came with greater responsibility, urging the university to maintain clear standards and avoid compromising quality as it continues to grow.

He added that private universities must establish and maintain strong benchmarks to ensure that their academic programmes meet the expectations of the higher education sector.

University Management Welcomes the Recognition

Speaking on behalf of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carl Adams, described the presentation of the permanent operational licence as a significant milestone in the institution’s development.

He said the recognition reflected the university’s commitment to quality education, transparent processes and the adoption of good practices in teaching, learning and administration.

Professor Adams noted that the licence was an important endorsement of the university’s progress and its efforts to provide students with a strong educational foundation.

He also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to learning from established practices in the United Kingdom, the United States and Nigeria to strengthen its academic programmes and institutional development.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied to the presentation by the University Registrar, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad, who joined him in representing the university’s management at the event.

A New Chapter for Cosmopolitan University

Cosmopolitan University, Abuja, received its initial operational licence on 15 May 2023, authorising it to commence academic activities. The institution was among 37 private universities licensed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The award of the permanent operational licence marks an important step in the university’s growth, recognising the progress made since its establishment and providing a stronger foundation for its continued development.

For the university, the milestone also reinforces the responsibility to sustain academic quality, strengthen institutional systems and provide students with an environment that supports learning, innovation and personal development.

As part of Cosmopolitan University, the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CCSA) recognises the importance of strong academic institutions in advancing knowledge, research and practical solutions to development challenges.

The university’s continued commitment to quality education provides an important foundation for initiatives that promote research, innovation and sustainable development, including climate-smart agriculture.

The NUC’s call for sustained academic standards serves as a reminder that the long-term success of any university depends not only on official recognition but also on its continued commitment to quality, accountability and the development of its students.

Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CCSA), Cosmopolitan University, Abuja.