Education Minister inaugurates new governing councils for 13 Nigerian universities

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Monday inaugurated the Governing Councils of 13? 

,! federal universities in the country.

The councils are to serve for a period of four years.

According to the minister, the governing councils are charged with the responsibilities of approving the financial guidelines of the universities; determining the terms and conditions of appointment of the vice chancellors and principal officers of the universities as well as annually reviewing the universities’ budget to monitor their performance and assess the overall impact of their implementation, among others.

He also called on the inaugurated councils to focus efforts on broadening the Internally Generated Revenue Base, IGR, of the universities

“In view of the current economic situation in the country, I call for the prudent management of the scarce resources while efforts should be intensified to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base of each university.

“You should also ensure the judicious application of revenues so generated,’’ Mr. Adamu said.

The minister also called on the council to live above board in the discharge of their duties by seeing to it that every act of corruption was avoided in their various universities.

“I call upon the governing councils, to join in this war against corruption. Any corrupt practises by councils including condoning cases of indiscipline by staff, is bound to have a destructive effect on the system and, on the products of the system. This must be avoided.

“You should also remember that governance and management are two distinct responsibilities in the university system. that distinction should remain clear in your mind. you shall set the policies. You shall define the directions,” Mr. Adamu told the councils.

He, however, urged universities’ managements to support the governing councils as they implement their policies and decisions.

In his address, Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, urged the councils to be committed in the discharge of their duties.

Mr. Rasheed, who reiterated the role of the council in the development of universities, said the commission would continue to support the councils to achieve its desired result.

“NUC appreciates the critical role of the governing council in the development of Nigerian universities.

“The NUC will continue to make itself available to ensure that it succeeds in its task and to succeed, every one of you should display a high sense of commitment, teamwork and dedication no matter the challenges,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono commended the minister for his tireless effort to ensuring safe reopening of the country's Tertiary institutions.

He said, few days ago there was series of meegoverningween.   the minister of Education and critical stakeholders in the country's Education sector.

According to him, meetings where held with commissioners of states, VC's of all the Universities in the country as well as Rectors and Provosts of colleges of educations, Polytechnics and NCDC in order to look for safety measures for the reopening of schools amidst the COVID- 19 pandemic.

He noted the important role of Governing council in any University, urging them to discharged their duties with the confidence reposed on them.