Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Councils for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to ensure the efficient operation of these institutions over the next four years. The ceremony took place in Abuja on Thursday, led by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.
Prof. Mamman congratulated the newly appointed chairmen and members while emphasizing the importance of non-interference in the day-to-day management of the institutions. “There is a clear line of operations between the management and the respective governing councils. Councils are not to interfere with the day-to-day management of human, financial, and material resources of the institutions,” he stated.
He urged the councils to implement innovative strategies to increase internally generated revenue and to ensure the strategic direction, transparent financial management, and overall performance of the institutions align with national goals.
Prof. Mamman also addressed the need for councils to foster responsible unionism and to combat social issues such as cultism, drug abuse, sexual harassment, theft, extortion, and inducement. “Effective strategies should be put in place by councils for early detection and eradication of social vices,” he said.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, advised the councils to adhere strictly to the laws and regulations governing the tertiary institutions, ensuring integrity, accountability, and the autonomy of academic institutions while promoting excellence and continuous improvement.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, speaking on behalf of the governing councils, emphasized the importance of a positive relationship between university management and councils. He encouraged Vice Chancellors to collaborate with the councils to enhance the institutions, stating, “We are to build and not to pull down.”
Chris Maiyaki, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), congratulated the new councils and assured them of the NUC’s full support to improve the university system.
