Higher Education: Government Bans Private PhD Programmes

Education Ndifon Anna Ting avril 17, 2026 0 Commentaires

Higher Education: Government Bans Private PhD Programmes

Cameroon has banned private universities from offering PhD degrees. The Ministry of Higher Education (Minesup) says only state universities have this right.

Minesup boss, Jacques Fame Ndongo – Photo credit, minesup

The document signed by the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo also rejects PhDs from foreign partners. Students who enroll in these programmes face high risks. Their degrees will not be valid.

This prohibition comes few months after the Head of State reinstituted PhD programmes in Cameroonian universities.

It also follows a feud between the University of Buea and ICT University regarding PhD degrees.

University of Buea, ICT University Dispute

Earlier in February 2026, the University of Buea refused to recognize ICT University PhDs from 2016 to 2023. The school said it did not mentor these doctoral programmes.It also claimed ICT University owes registration fees for its students.

In the face of this misunderstanding, the Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, ordered an apology from Prof. Victor Mbarika, the founder of ICT University.

Victor Mbarika had gone on television to accuse state officials of a corruption. The Minister warned of sanctions for these comments. Prof. Mbarika has apologized yet. He continues to appreciate the leadership at the University of Buea.

Following the official press release signed on 13 April, students are urged to check the Ministry list before they pay fees.

They should also confirm if a school has a mentorship agreement and avoid offshore degrees that lack local stamps.

The measure to prohibit private universities reveals the tensions plaguing the higher education system and how mentoring and leadership structures operate.