The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Governing Councils for public universities, colleges of education and polytechnics, one year after the last councils were dissolved.
Inaugurating the councils on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman said the inauguration marked an important milestone in the quest to improve the education sector and re-engineer the governance structure of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“As you are already aware, the Governing Councils of federal tertiary Institutions: Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education were dissolved in June, 2023.
“Since then, the Institutions have been without xouncils, leaving their operations in the hands of individual Management teams, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. Naturally, without Governing Councils, the institutions may function, ideally or smoothly,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that with the inauguration, the nation’s tertiary institutions will achieve a remarkable transformation for the benefit of our children, and generations to come.
The minister urged the new councils to get abreast of the current Acts of their various institutions, government policies, white papers (if any); circulars, gazettes and other relevant documents, relating to the institutions and those of general application in ministries, departments and agencies.
“I, therefore, charge you to explore diverse funding sources, including partnerships with the private sector and International Organisations, alumni, endowment and sponsored research to ensure financial sustainability of your Institutions. It is however imperative, that the limited funds allocated by Government are judiciously utilised,” he said.
He also called on them to ensure good management, healthy growth and development of your Institutions stating that one of the challenges that Governing Councils regularly face during their tenure is the appointment of Principal Officers.
He urged them to encourage responsible unionism in their respective institutions while arresting the problems of cultism and drug abuse by students, adding that effective strategies should be put in place by councils for early detection and eradication of social vices such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion and inducement.
“Let me clarify that there is a dear line of operations between the management and respective Governing Councils of the tertiary Institutions. Councils are not to interference with the day-to-day management of human, financial, and material resources of the Institutions,” he added.
