In a significant step toward improving the credibility of cross-border education, the Nigeria–Niger Joint Commission (NNJC) has received an ოფიციally approved list of fully accredited private universities and higher institutions in the Niger Republic.
The list, endorsed by Niger’s Minister of Education and Scientific Research, Mamadou Saidou, was formally presented to the Secretary General of the Commission, Musa S. Mamman, during a meeting at the minister’s office. Describing the document as the only authentic record of recognised higher institutions in the country, Saidou cautioned that any alternative listings should be treated with skepticism.
The compilation was carried out and validated by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Research, the sole regulatory body responsible for accreditation and quality control in Niger’s tertiary education system. Its authority is reinforced by the Declaration of Addis Ababa, which designates the agency as the exclusive institution empowered to authenticate academic certificates both within and outside the country.
Officials say the move is expected to boost confidence in qualifications obtained from Niger Republic institutions, particularly in terms of international recognition and verification processes.
In a letter addressed to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the NNJC called for the circulation of the verified list to key agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and other regulatory bodies. This, the Commission noted, would ensure that only graduates from duly accredited institutions are recognised in official procedures.
The development underscores ongoing efforts by both countries to safeguard academic standards and deepen cooperation in the education sector. Established in 1971, the NNJC continues to serve as a vital bilateral platform, promoting collaboration across areas including education, security, trade, and infrastructure, while playing a central role in maintaining the integrity of cross-border academic qualifications.