Don’t interfere with finances, recruitment of tertiary institutions — Tinubu warns new Governing board members
By Matthew Denis
President Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday warned the members of the Tertiary Institutions Governing Councils against interfering with human resources, financial and management of the various tertiary institutions in the country.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that President Tinubu inaugurated the governing councils of tertiary institutions one year after the previous councils were dissolved by his administration. About 560 individuals were appointed to the governing councils and boards of Federal Government-owned universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in the country.
Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who inaugurated the chairmen and members of the councils in Abuja confessed it has been a tough time deciding on the feat.
While congratulating members of the councils, the minister warned them against undue interference in the human, financial, and resource management of the institutions.
“There is a clear line of operations between the Management and respective Governing Councils of the tertiary Institutions, Councils are not to interfere with the day-to-day management of human, financial, and material resources of the Institutions.”
Prof Mamman urged them to come up with ideas that will shore up the internally generated revenue of the institutions by exploring diverse sources and partners that are willing to invest in education.
The Minister said, “You are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these Institutions to achieve the national goals and expectations of tertiary institutions.
“Governing Councils should encourage responsible unionism in their respective Institutions while arresting the problems of cultism and drug abuse by students Effective strategies should be put in place by Councils for early detection and eradication of social wees such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion, and inducement.”
The Minister, however, advised them to know the existing laws guiding the institutions and to always apply the law in their dealings.
Mamman said the education sector suffered the most from brain drain in the country.
Prof. Mamman argued that contrary to the notion that the medical profession has suffered the most from the brain drain syndrome, the education sector is the worst hit.
He stated: “Unknown to a lot of people, the education sector has actually suffered the most in the Japa syndrome than any other sector in Nigeria. We have lost even teachers in primary and secondary schools because of Japa.
“They have left for Europe, everywhere. A lot of times we talk about the medical personnel. But I can confirm to you that we have lost more teachers in Nigeria than any other sector. And especially for teachers in tertiary institutions, it takes at least 15 years to have somebody with a Ph.D. So if you lose one, it’s a very major loss to the country.”
According to a 2023 Nigerian Immigration Service report, over 3.6 million Nigerians migrated in two years to other countries in search of better opportunities.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu said it was crucial to emphasise the need to adhere to the laws and regulations that establish and govern the tertiary institutions.
He said, “Compliance with these legal frameworks ensures that our institutions operate with integrity and accountability. It also helps to safeguard the autonomy of our academic institutions while promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.”
Speaking on behalf of the governing councils, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said the relationship between the management of the universities and councils should not be that of cat and rat.
He urged them to be cautious in their dealings with members of the universities while he encouraged Vice Chancellors to allow Councils to improve the institutions, saying, “We are to build and not to pull down.”
Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, congratulated the council members and said their doors and windows were open and they would give them 100 percent support to improve the university system.
Some of the appointees included a former governor of Osun State and pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, as the chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State.
Others are Olanipekun (UNILAG); a former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda (National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN); former lawmaker, Senator Joy Emordi (Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State),one-tine former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, who chairs the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU), among others.
