Abuja: The National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Commonwealth of Learning, Canada are jointly working to develop a National Micro-credential Framework. This initiative aims to enhance skill development, improve employability, and support lifelong learning in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, who was represented by Malam Lawal Faruk, NUC’s Director of Research, Innovation and Information Technology, stated at a two-day Stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja that the reform must align education with labour market realities and technological change. Micro-credentials, which are short, focused, and competency-based education programmes, are designed to certify specific skills or knowledge in a narrow field.
Prof. Ribadu emphasized that micro-credentials will complement existing degree programmes by providing flexible pathways for upskilling, reskilling, and continuous learning within Nigeria’s higher education system. The proposed framework will guide the design, delivery, assessment, recognition, and progression of short-cycle learning, aligning with national education policy and quality assurance standards.
The Director of Open and e-Learning at NUC, Dr. Funmilayo Morebise, highlighted the importance of adopting micro-credentials for workforce development and lifelong learning. The workshop’s objective was to build regulatory understanding, examine global best practices, and develop a draft framework for implementation across universities and approved higher institutions.
Prof. Peter Scott, the President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning, described micro-credentials as a significant post-pandemic innovation that enables flexible, quality-assured learning and rapid response to emerging skills demands. He noted that Nigeria is among the pilot countries working toward a coherent national system that enhances learner mobility, employability, and international recognition of competencies.
Mrs. Sia Fasuluku, Deputy Chief from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education in Sierra Leone, called for stronger private-sector involvement to ensure that training aligns with labour market needs and provides practical learning opportunities. She stressed that skills-focused education is crucial for addressing youth unemployment, social challenges, and technological changes across Africa.