The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has told the governing councils of federal universities to provide quality leadership that would make Nigerian institutions globally competitive.
Adamu made the call at the inauguration of the governing councils of 12 federal universities on Tuesday in Abuja. Adamu had on Feb. 13 constituted new governing councils for the universities after dissolving the old councils.
The affected universities are the Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State and Federal University, Wakari, Taraba State. Others are Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State,
Federal University, Ndufe-Alike, Ebonyi State and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Also affected are the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, Federal University, Gasau, Zamfara State and Federal University, Kebbi.
According to Adamu, universities’ councils have a special role to play in guiding and setting examples for managements on how to train students in character and learning.
”As governing councils, you must be bold, courageous and responsive in ways that provide the kind of leadership that supports the growth and development of universities and make them globally competitive and attractive.
”In doing all these, you must ensure that the universities’ planning and growth are in consonance with all National Universities Commission guidelines, especially, with regards to the issues of academic briefs and the development of appropriate master plans. ”I would like to remind you that governance and management are two distinct responsibilities in the university system.
”On the hand, councils will set the policies that define the direction and then support the managements in their implementation of the policies.’’
He urged the councils to supervise and monitor the effective entrenchment of the committee system and ensure plurality in decision-making process.
In her remarks, Hajiya Binta Garba, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, said that concerted efforts must be made to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.
Garba urged the councils to work with other stakeholders in restoring the lost glory of Nigeria’s education, adding that the ranking of Nigerian universities had started improving. She said that Nigeria lost over two billion dollars in capital flight in the education sector every year.
”We know that before 2019, the amount lost through capital flight will be reduced drastically,” she said.
Responding on behalf of the members of the councils, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University, Utoke, said they were delighted to be part of history. She assured that the councils would discharge their duties diligently and justify the confidence reposed on them. (NAN)
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