President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive review of recent appointments to the governing boards of tertiary institutions, following inconsistencies in the process.

On Thursday, Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, announced that the review must be completed before the planned inauguration and retreat for the nominees. This decision comes amid threats from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to strike over delays in constituting governing councils. The Federal Ministry of Education recently released a list of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The Ministry, led by Mamman Tahir, was also planning a retreat for the nominees and scheduled the inauguration for May 31. Public reactions, alleging that the nominations did not adhere to the Federal Character principle, prompted the President’s directive. Some states received only one nomination, while others received multiple.

Acknowledging nationwide feedback, President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to ensuring strict compliance with the Federal Character principle as outlined in the Constitution. The review aims to achieve a national spread and ensure adequate representation from all parts of the country.