A coalition of academics, students, alumni and concerned Nigerians has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to clamp down on the growing trend of social media comedians and influencers branding their platforms as “universities.”
The group, operating under the banner of the Coalition for Protection of Academic Integrity in Nigeria, described the use of titles such as “Geh Geh University” and “Blessing CEO University” as an assault on the sanctity of Nigeria’s higher education system.
In a petition addressed to the Executive Secretary and Board of the NUC, the coalition insisted that the term university is not a decorative label for entertainment but a legally protected designation, earned only after rigorous accreditation.
Dr Charles Ekeh, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, warned that tolerating such parody institutions diminishes the value of legitimate academic degrees painstakingly awarded by accredited institutions.
“The word university is not a joke. It is a symbol of years of dedication, research, and excellence. Allowing comedians to exploit it undermines the academic standards and global respect of genuine institutions,” Ekeh declared.
Citing provisions of the NUC Act, the coalition noted that no individual or body is permitted to operate or even describe an entity as a university without approval from the Commission. According to the petitioners, failure to enforce the law emboldens fraudsters and risks confusing unsuspecting Nigerians who may take the parodies literally.
Ekeh expressed concern that degree racketeers could hide under the guise of comedy to lure the gullible, thereby worsening the menace of fake certificates already bedevilling the system.
The coalition has therefore urged the NUC to:
Issue public condemnation of the unauthorised use of the term “university”;
Send cease-and-desist orders to social media accounts in violation;
Partner with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and social media platforms to enforce compliance;
Launch a national enlightenment campaign to help citizens identify accredited universities.
While acknowledging the place of humour and satire in society, the coalition maintained that creativity must not come at the expense of Nigeria’s educational integrity.
“Defending the integrity of our universities is non-negotiable. National development depends on it, and parodying it for likes and followers is a dangerous precedent,” Ekeh said.
