Malawi closes second university in a year over substandard degrees

Malawi's higher education landscape is undergoing a significant regulatory overhaul as the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) intensifies its crackdown on substandard academic institutions. Within a year, NCHE has deregistered two private universities, Skyway University and Pentecostal Life University, citing persistent failure to meet minimum operational and quality assurance standards. This decisive action, rooted in the National Council for Higher Education Act, No. 15 of 2011, signals the regulator's unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity and quality of tertiary education in the country. The deregistration carries profound implications for the affected institutions, their students, and the broader private higher education sector, highlighting the critical importance of stringent compliance with regulatory benchmarks.

Malawi's higher education sector is currently experiencing a period of heightened scrutiny and robust enforcement by its primary regulator, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). In a significant development, Skyway University has been deregistered, marking it as the second private institution to lose its operating license within the past year. This follows the earlier deregistration of Pentecostal Life University, underscoring a concerted effort by the NCHE to address long-standing concerns regarding academic standards and quality assurance across the nation's tertiary institutions.

These actions by the NCHE are not isolated incidents but rather reflect a broader, more assertive stance aimed at safeguarding the credibility and value of Malawian academic qualifications. The regulator's interventions are designed to ensure that all higher education providers adhere to established national and international benchmarks, thereby protecting students from receiving substandard education and maintaining the integrity of the country's educational system.

This article will delve into the statutory framework empowering the NCHE, examine the specific circumstances leading to these deregistration decisions, and analyse the legal and practical implications for higher education institutions, students, and legal practitioners operating within Malawi's evolving regulatory environment.

The regulatory authority for higher education in Malawi is vested in the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), an independent government agency established by the National Council for Higher Education Act, No. 15 of 2011 (Chapter 30:12). This Act, which came into force in April 2012, provides the NCHE with a comprehensive mandate to register, accredit, monitor, and, crucially, de-register higher education institutions and their programmes that fail to meet prescribed quality standards.

NCHE's core functions include promoting and coordinating higher education, regulating and maintaining standards of teaching, examinations, academic qualifications, and facilities, and accrediting both public and private institutions. The distinction between registration and accreditation is fundamental: registration grants an institution the legal authority to operate, while accreditation confirms that the institution and its programmes meet formal requirements of academic excellence and quality standards set by the Council. Operating as an unregistered higher education institution is deemed illegal, and the NCHE has developed specific "Minimum Standards for Higher Education Institutions in Malawi" to guide its quality assurance processes.

The NCHE's recent deregistration of Skyway University in July 2026 follows a pattern of heightened enforcement, building on its earlier decision to deregister Pentecostal Life University (PLU). The deregistration of PLU was resolved by the NCHE on August 11, 2025, and subsequently approved by the Minister responsible for Education on September 12, 2025, in accordance with Section 15(b) and Section 23 of the National Council for Higher Education Act. The primary reason cited for PLU's deregistration was its persistent failure to comply with the Minimum Standards for Higher Education Institutions in Malawi, despite repeated engagements and an interface hearing where the university presented its representations.

Similarly, Skyway University's deregistration in July 2026 was attributed to its non-compliance with the Council's minimum requirements, a concern that had led to an earlier revocation of its accreditation in July 2024 alongside Millennium University. Following the latest deregistration, Skyway University suspended classes, with its Assistant Registrar indicating plans to resolve outstanding issues within six months to target a resumption of student enrolment by January 2027. Importantly, for both PLU and Skyway University, the NCHE has clarified that qualifications awarded before the effective date of deregistration remain valid, mitigating immediate concerns for past graduates.

Beyond these institutional closures, the NCHE's crackdown extends to individual degrees. The regulator recently revoked degrees awarded to some 2025 University of Lilongwe graduates, ordering them to complete additional requirements due to serious breaches in admission procedures. This comprehensive approach signals the NCHE's resolve to enforce quality across all facets of higher education. While education experts have largely welcomed these actions as long overdue, some have urged the NCHE to apply the same rigorous scrutiny to public universities. The NCHE's actions, grounded in its statutory powers, have significant legal implications, potentially giving rise to claims by affected students against institutions for breach of contract, misrepresentation, and recovery of tuition fees. Furthermore, a broader controversy has emerged regarding the Minister of Higher Education's directive declaring degrees from foreign institutions not accredited by NCHE as 'fake,' raising legal and logical concerns about the recognition of international academic standards.

The recent deregistration of Skyway University and Pentecostal Life University by the National Council for Higher Education marks a pivotal moment in Malawi's efforts to enhance and regulate its higher education sector. These actions underscore the NCHE's robust commitment to its mandate under the National Council for Higher Education Act, No. 15 of 2011, ensuring that institutions adhere to stringent quality assurance and operational standards. The regulator's willingness to exercise its full statutory powers sends a clear message to all higher education providers, particularly those in the private sector, that compliance is non-negotiable.

For legal practitioners, these developments necessitate a proactive approach. Attorneys advising educational institutions must ensure their clients are meticulously adhering to NCHE's quality assurance frameworks and regularly publicizing their accreditation status to avoid severe regulatory intervention. Conversely, legal professionals representing students affected by such closures should be prepared to explore avenues for redress, including potential litigation for breach of contract or misrepresentation. The ongoing scrutiny by the NCHE, coupled with the broader debate on the recognition of degrees, suggests that the landscape of higher education regulation in Malawi will remain dynamic. Practitioners should closely monitor future enforcement actions and policy pronouncements to effectively guide their clients through this evolving regulatory environment.