FG Inaugurates Governing Councils for Tertiary Institutions After Year-Long Hiatus

The Federal Government has inaugurated new governing councils for universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics. This development comes after a year of these institutions operating without such bodies.

The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, saw the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, officially appoint the chairmen and members of the newly constituted governing councils under the Federal Ministry of Education.

This initiative follows the dissolution of the previous councils by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, shortly after his inauguration. The abrupt dissolution had left the governance of federal universities primarily in the hands of vice-chancellors, leading to challenges in institutional governance, stability, and academic integrity.

During the inauguration, Prof. Mamman highlighted the importance of this milestone for the education sector. He expressed confidence that the new councils would facilitate remarkable transformations within the nation’s tertiary institutions, benefiting current and future generations.

The Minister urged the new councils to familiarize themselves with the current legislative frameworks, policies, and relevant documents pertinent to their institutions. He emphasized the need for councils to explore diverse funding sources, including partnerships with the private sector, international organizations, alumni contributions, endowments, and sponsored research, to ensure financial sustainability.

Prof. Mamman also outlined the responsibilities of the governing councils, particularly in the appointment of principal officers. He stressed the necessity for adherence to institutional Acts and government guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency in such processes.

Moreover, the Minister called on the councils to foster responsible unionism and address issues like cultism and drug abuse among students. He advised implementing strategies for the early detection and eradication of social vices, including sexual harassment, theft, extortion, and inducement.

Prof. Mamman clarified the distinct roles of management and governing councils, underscoring that councils should not interfere with the daily management of human, financial, and material resources of the institutions.

Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, also addressed the gathering, expressing confidence in the newly appointed council members. He highlighted the government’s commitment to providing quality education and its determination to implement the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments. Nigerians are yearning for quality, functional education that is sustainable and equips citizens to tackle global challenges. The presence of eminent, well-respected Nigerians in these councils is crucial for achieving this goal,” Sununu stated.