By Chidimma Uchegbu
Former Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, has received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University, Malaysia, for his role in advancing higher education reform.
Lincoln University confers the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management on Maiyaki during its convocation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, citing his contributions to policy innovation, institutional development and international academic collaboration.
The event draws senior academics, policymakers and education leaders from several countries, alongside a large Nigerian delegation, particularly from Gombe State, where Lincoln University recently establishes a branch campus following regulatory approval.
In his acceptance remarks, Maiyaki describes the honour as “both humbling and symbolic,” noting that it comes at a time when universities globally are reassessing their mission amid rapid technological and social change.
“Lincoln University represents innovation, creativity and leadership in global higher education,” he says, tracing the institution’s evolution from its founding as Lincoln College in 2002 to its emergence as a key player in transnational education.
Maiyaki highlights the 2025 licensing of Lincoln University Gombe Campus by the NUC as Nigeria’s first practical transnational education experiment, calling it a milestone for digital learning and international partnerships.
“It is with pride and deep fulfilment that we celebrate the Lincoln–Gombe story,” he says. “From what we have seen so far, the future looks excellent.”
He notes that within a year of operation, the institution has gained national attention for deploying digital technologies, innovative curricula and co-creation models to expand access to quality education.
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