Nigerian Government inaugurates new University Governing Councils

*Members should block financial loopholes, evolve creative ideas to boost universities’ IGR, says Education Minister

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

As plans and guidelines to reopen the country’s schools post-Coronavirus lockdowns are being fine-tuned, the Federal Government has inducted the fresh Governing Councils of 13 Federal universities in Nigeria.

Agency report says the universities with new Governing Council Members are Federal University, Lokoja; Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State; Federal University Kashere, Gombe; and Federal University, Wukari, Taraba.

Others are Federal University, Dutsinma, Katsina State; Federal University, Jigawa; Ndufo Alike University, Ebonyi, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; and Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa.

Federal University, Birnin Kebbi; Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara; Federal University, Gashua, Yobe; and Federal University of Health Sciences are others.

Malam Adamu Adamu, Honourable Minister for Education, at the inauguration in Abuja, FCT, Monday, July 13 charged the fresh chairmen and members of the various councils to foster harmonious relationships with other universities’ authorities while carrying out their duties in the next four years, says agency report.

Adamu urged council members and chairmen to respect the rule of law in the performance of their responsibilities while also respecting the Federal Character principles in the appointment of their officers.

The Minister also tasked the governing boards to block loopholes and come up with ideas that would shore up the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the universities.

The major areas of challenge are inadequate funding as well as judicious use of available resources, he stated.

Adamu said: “So, let me advise you to come up with new creative ways to improve funding in your institutions.

“You will have to block the loopholes where the IGR slides away.”

According to the Minister for Education, visitation panels would be visiting the universities in the next weeks.

He called on the new Governing Council members to effectively cooperate with the panel so as to lay a good foundation.

The effort of the government is to improve Nigerian universities in the next four years, hence the appointment of tested and proven officers, he disclosed.

Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), said the inauguration of the Council members marks the beginning of a new phase in the introduction of the first 12 specialised universities.

Rasheed said the NUC was also inspired by the Map of 2018-2020 and has been committed to revitalising Nigeria’s university education.

The steps included immediate fostering of skills development and entrepreneurship as well as addressing inadequacies in facilities.

Prof. Funmilayo Togonu-Bickersteth, representing the newly appointed chairmen, said the Council members look forward to cooperation from the Minister and NUC, especially in the provision of useful information.

Togonu-Bickersteth pledged the best of the Council members towards the advancement of the nation and mankind.