The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Councils of tertiary institutions to ensure the smooth running of Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for the next four years, despite opposition from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Plateau News reports that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, inaugurated the chairmen and members of the councils in Abuja on Thursday.
This move aims to provide effective governance and oversight to enhance the administration and development of these institutions.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, remarked on the challenging nature of the decision, noting that he had not rested on the issue for the past ten months.
While congratulating the newly inaugurated Governing Councils of tertiary institutions, Mamman warned against undue interference in the management of human, financial, and material resources.
He urged the councils to develop strategies to increase internally generated revenue by exploring diverse sources and partners willing to invest in education.
Mamman emphasized the importance of setting strategic directions, overseeing transparent financial management, and ensuring the institutions’ overall performance to meet national goals and expectations.
He also advised the councils to promote responsible unionism, address issues like cultism and drug abuse among students, and implement strategies to detect and eradicate social problems such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion, and inducement.
Wole Olanipekun, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, spoke on behalf of the Governing Councils, advocating for a cooperative relationship between university management and the councils. He emphasized the importance of building and improving institutions rather than causing conflicts. Olanipekun urged Vice Chancellors to support the councils’ efforts to enhance the institutions.
Chris Maiyaki, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), congratulated the councils and assured them of full support from the NUC to improve the university system.