The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given approval for Western Delta University in Delta State, Nigeria, to commence two new full-time undergraduate engineering programmes. The programmes, which are set to begin in the 2026/2027 academic session, are Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) in Computer Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. This development was made possible after a resource verification visit by a panel of experts to assess the university's human and material resources.
The resource verification visit was a critical regulatory requirement to ensure that the university has the necessary facilities to effectively deliver the proposed programmes. The NUC's approval, contained in a letter signed by Abubakar M. Girei, Director, Academic Planning, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NUC, indicates that the programmes are approved for the full-time mode of study. The programmes will be offered at the university's main campus in Oghara, Delta State.
The approval of these engineering programmes represents a significant expansion of Western Delta University's academic offerings, particularly in engineering and technology-related disciplines. This development aligns with the growing demand for engineering and technology education in Nigeria, as universities increasingly expand their programmes to respond to the country's industrial, infrastructure, and digital transformation needs.
The NUC has made it clear that the approval does not extend to the part-time mode of delivery of either programme. The commission stated that the university must obtain specific approval before commencing any part-time undergraduate programme. Additionally, the NUC directed that the programmes must be run strictly under the approved titles, with any proposed change requiring prior approval from the commission.
Western Delta University is required to maintain adequate human and material resources necessary for the sustained development and growth of the programmes. The resources must conform with the provisions of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for the Nigerian University System. The university must also ensure that the required academic staff, laboratories, workshops, equipment, infrastructure, and other learning resources remain adequate as the programmes expand.
The approval of these programmes places responsibility on the university to produce graduates with skills relevant to industrialisation and the digital economy. Computer Engineering, in particular, sits at the intersection of engineering, computing, and digital technology, while Electrical and Electronic Engineering provides academic and professional training relevant to power, electronics, telecommunications, automation, and other technology-driven sectors.
With the NUC approval, Western Delta University can now admit students into the two programmes from the 2026/2027 academic session, subject to meeting the commission's continuing requirements. This development is expected to excite many Nigerians, particularly as the country faces increasing pressure to produce graduates with relevant skills.
Key points
- The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved two new engineering programmes at Western Delta University.
- The programmes, which are set to begin in the 2026/2027 academic session, are Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) in Computer Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
- The approval was given after a resource verification visit by a panel of experts to assess the university's human and material resources.
