A coalition of academics, students, alumni, and concerned citizens has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to urgently regulate the misuse of the term “university” by social media comedians and content creators.
The coalition raised concerns over parody institutions like “Geh Geh University” and “Blessing CEO University,” stressing that such names are not harmless fun but undermine the integrity of Nigerian higher education.
Dr. Charles Ekeh, spokesperson for the Coalition for Protection of Academic Integrity in Nigeria, warned that “the term ‘university’ is legally protected and earned through accreditation. Its misuse dilutes its meaning and disrespects genuine academic institutions.”
The coalition highlighted that parody universities risk misleading vulnerable individuals, potentially enabling scams and fraudulent degree mills under the guise of comedy.
They urged the NUC to:
- Publicly condemn unauthorized use of “university.”
- Issue cease-and-desist orders to offending accounts.
- Collaborate with NCC and social media platforms to enforce compliance.
- Launch a public awareness campaign to distinguish accredited universities.
Ekeh emphasized that the protest is not about stifling creativity but about safeguarding Nigeria’s academic reputation. “Defending the integrity of our institutions is not a joke,” he stated.
