E-ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME PANACEA FOR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study explored the importance of e-accreditation programme for university education sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper is a position paper. The paper used secondary data. The secondary data were collected from print and online publications. The study concluded enhanced efficiency and time management, improved transparency and accountability, cost-effectiveness and resource optimization, strengthened data management and accessibility, continuous quality improvement and promotes global competitiveness. Based on these findings, the paper recommends the Federal Government and the National Universities Commission (NUC) should ensure that all universities, especially public ones, have stable internet connectivity, modern computer systems, and functional ICT support centres to facilitate the smooth operation of the e-accreditation process. Training programmes and workshops should be organised for academic and administrative staff to enhance their digital literacy and technical skills in using the e-accreditation platform. Continuous capacity building will minimize operational errors, promote user confidence, and ensure efficiency and sustainability of the system. The NUC should adopt strong cybersecurity frameworks and regular system updates to protect sensitive institutional data from breaches or manipulation. Establishing data backup and recovery systems will also enhance trust and reliability in the e-accreditation process. Beyond initial accreditation, universities should be encouraged to use the e-accreditation system for regular self-assessment and continuous quality improvement. This will help institutions maintain high standards, identify weaknesses, and implement timely corrective measures. The government, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and private sector partners should collaborate to provide adequate funding for maintaining and upgrading the e-accreditation system. Partnerships with ICT experts and international organizations (such as UNESCO and the World Bank) can also provide technical and financial support to sustain the programme.