A coalition of academics, students, alumni, and concerned citizens has petitioned the National Universities Commission (NUC) to clamp down on the use of “university” by parody platforms such as GehGeh University and Blessing CEO University.
In a letter addressed to the NUC’s Executive Secretary and Board, the group described the trend as harmful to Nigeria’s higher education system, warning that the misuse of the term “university” trivialises years of academic excellence and could mislead the public.
Spokesperson of the Coalition for Protection of Academic Integrity in Nigeria, Dr. Charles Ekeh, said the matter should not be dismissed as mere comedy.
“The word ‘university’ is a legally protected designation earned through rigorous accreditation.
“Allowing comedians to adopt it dilutes its meaning and disrespects genuine academic institutions,” he stated.
Ekeh argued that parody “universities” risk confusing unsuspecting audiences and could open doors for scams, further worsening Nigeria’s struggle against fraudulent degree mills.
Citing provisions of the NUC Act, he noted that no entity may use “university” in its name without approval from the regulator, stressing that weak enforcement undermines the commission’s authority.
The coalition is demanding that the NUC publicly condemn the practice, issue cease-and-desist orders to offending social media accounts, and collaborate with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and digital platforms to ensure compliance. It also called for a public awareness campaign to help Nigerians distinguish accredited institutions from parody or fake entities.
While stressing that the move was not intended to gag creativity, Ekeh said safeguarding the integrity of education must remain paramount.
“Defending our academic institutions’ credibility is not a joke,” he added.
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