RHEMA UNIVERSITY (NIGERIA ) APPROVED BY NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION AND NOT A SUB-STANDARD UNIVERSITY.

PRESS RELEASE:

The attention of the authorities of Rhema University has been drawn to the malicious publications in the news media credited to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Julius A. Okojie, claiming that eleven (11) private Universities in Nigeria, including Rhema University are “substandard” and therefore were denied issuance of full operational licenses on account of “failed accreditation status”.

We are baffled at the substance of this claim as it is completely a misrepresentation of facts and a deliberate distortion of the truth to whip up sentiments against some private Universities in the country. For avoidance of doubts, we consider it proper to explain the true state of affairs to unsuspecting members of the public who may otherwise be swayed by the malicious fabrications and distortions currently in wide circulation, both in the news media and on the social media platforms.

On the 13th of August, 2015, the National Universities Commission invited twenty private Universities, including Rhema University to witness the issuance of full operational licenses to nine (9) private Universities. The Universities issued with full operational licenses, were Caleb University, Veritas University, Salem University, Afe Babalola University, Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Godfrey Okoye University, Fountain University, Adeleke University, and Western Delta University. The other eleven (11) private Universities namely, Wesley University of Science & Technology, Landmark University, Rhema University , Samuel Adegboyega University , Paul University, Oduduwa University , Tansian University , Baze University , Obong University , Achievers University and Wellspring University, though matured for issuance of full operational licenses, were granted two year extension to enable the National Universities Commission monitor their growth and development before issuance of full operational licenses. Rhema University in particular is only five (5) years old having being established in 2010.

During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission did not, even for once mention “substandard” or “failed accreditation” as the basis for denial of full operational license to the eleven (11) private Universities mentioned above as it is being rumored. It is important to put the records straight at this Point. Rhema University was established in 2010 on the express approval of the Federal Government of Nigeria, acting on the recommendation of the National Universities Commission. Barely three years after establishment of the University, precisely in 2013, the University won accreditation in all the nine (9) programmes presented to the National Universities Commission. (Refer to the NUC website for a list of Universities and their respective accreditation status. http://www.nuc.edu.ng/pages/universities.asp?ty=3&order=inst_name&page=2). It is therefore wrong for anybody to assume that Rhema University was temporarily denied full operational license on grounds of failed accreditation.
It is important to categorically state that the essence of accreditation exercise is to affirm the academic standard or otherwise of a University. It is therefore illogical to grant accreditation on one hand and declare the same University a “substandard University” barely one year after accreditation.

It may interest members of the public to note that only two weeks ago, Rhema University received a letter from the National Universities Commission indicating the willingness of the Commission to undertake a Resource Verification Visit to the University to enable the University mount three new degree programmes in medical sciences. It is therefore wholly contradictory to assume by any standard that Rhema University is a “substandard” University in any way.

The facts about the University speaks for themselves. In terms of physical infrastructure, Rhema University is second to none in this country. The same goes for academic facilities and quality of teaching staff. In terms of payment of salaries and allowances to staff, the University has never owed its staff for a single month since its inception in 2010. These are some of the exceptional qualities that Rhema University possesses to her credit. We therefore urge members of the public to completely disregard, discard and dismiss fake claims by faceless individuals, groups and virtual journalists whose only stock in trade is to sponsor negative news purposely to malign credible individuals and institutions who have by dint of hard work, built an enviable reputation and integrity that are hard to be equalled. Rhema University remains stable, focused and determined more than ever to fulfill its vision and mission to deliver an outstanding quality of education and maximally impact the younger generation by wholly equipping them for excellence in all areas of life.



Signed:

Emmanuel DōughDōugh
(Registrar)