The President Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA), Prof. Alex Asigbo sought for collaboration with NUC for development of curriculum for Creative Art and the possibility of making theatre art more lucrative and upgrading it to a faculty of Creative Arts.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary Professor Abubakar Rasheed mni, MFR, FNAL represented by Mr Chris Maiyaki Director, Directorate of the Executive Secretary’s Office welcomed the President and his entourage and stated that NUC always partner with any stakeholder that would make universities develop competencies and capabilities for graduates to be self-sustenance.

While unfolding the giant stride of the current leadership of NUC, he said NUC has recorded notable achievements in its reforms in the Nigerian Universities System (NUS) which included streamlining the accreditation exercise to once a year to enable a thorough exercise and more programmes have been introduced to the NUS.

To address the shortfall in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development, a skill and Entrepreneurship Directorate has been created in the Nigerian universities, adding that NUC has reviewed the computing curriculum and added it to the existing 13 disciplines in the NUS making it 14. Mr Maiyaki also said the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards has been revised and copies would be given to SONTA to constructively criticize.

Other notable achievement were constitution of a Strategy Advisory Committee (STRADVCOM), chaired by Professor Peter Okebukola to revitalise the NUS. The committee had published the blueprint on rapid revitalisation of university education, (2018 – 2023), directorate of full professors in the NUS and would soon be launched by the NUC to chart a roadmap for the development of the NUS.

The Director apologised on behalf of the Executive Secretary, was on a Ministerial assignment to Iran and from there would proceed to Turkey to attend another national assignment.

In his address and responding on behalf of the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA), the President, Professor Alex Asigbo said SONTA decided to coordinate the curriculum development of creative arts and came to NUC for institutional support in order to comply with the law and to meet global standards.

He thanked the Executive secretary for opening the door to genuine stakeholder in education project for been passionate and enthusiastic with the objective of SONTA.

In his remarks, the Chairman SONTA, Professor Olu Obafemi said the Executive Secretary has been very passionate to revamping the Educational Sector and that theatre arts always play significant role essential in the development of the Country.

Prof. Obafemi said a very powerful committee has been set up to draw a curriculum for programmes in the Creative Arts if given the nod by the NUC, stating that the programmes include BA. Event Management, BA. Cultural Studies, BA. Dance and Choreography, BA. Development and Communication, BA. Entertainment Design and Technology, BA. Fashion and Costume Design, BA. Film, BA. Media Arts, BA. Music and BA. Tourism and Carnival Arts. Prof. Obafemi also expressed appreciation and his deepest commendations to the Executive Secretary’s efforts in repositioning the NUS.

The highlight of the meeting was commendation read by Shola Fosud reeling out the biography of the Executive Secretary Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed and the presentation of the highest honorary leadership award of SONTA to the Executive Secretary which was received by the Director, Directorate of the Executive Secretary’s Office Mr Chris Mayaki on behalf of the Executive Secretary.

In his response, Mr Chris Mayaki said Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed has been a detribalized person, a goal getter and an achiever.

He said the recognition would not be taken for granted and it would spur him to be more forward looking. On the development of Curriculum, he informed the delegation that the Executive Secretary has introduced the liberalization of curriculum in the NUS to achieve national development. He reiterated that the NUC Management would give adherence to the considerations of SONTA.