FG ignores ASUU, to inaugurate varsities governing councils

The Federal Government has confirmed July 4, 2024, as the inauguration date of governing councils for federal universities, and polytechnics, among others, ignoring the Academic Staff of Universities Union’s (ASUU) rejection of the idea.

Nnamdi Mbaeri, the permanent secretary, general services, office of the secretary to the government of the federation, who confirmed this, said that consent has been granted for the proper administration of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country

Aisha Maikudi, the acting vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja during her acceptance address revealed the inauguration date.

However, Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of ASUU has frowned at the government’s approach and described it as a troubling pattern in the appointment process.

“The new council members are primarily retired politicians rather than academics or professionals in relevant disciplines,” he noted.

ASUU had earlier kicked against the appointment of new governing councils in the federal institutions of higher learning, saying it was illegal to remove the existing ones before the expiration of their tenures.

A total of 560 people were appointed to the governing councils and boards of federal academic institutions.

Bisi Akande was appointed as the chairman of the governing council of the University of Ibadan. The board consists of Alexander Ajipe, Nelson Alapa, Ifeoma Nwankwo, and Prof. Emmanuel Alo.

Wole Olanipekun is named as the chairman of the University of Lagos governing council. The council consists of Bello Kumo, Idowu Mark, Niyi Akande, and Bola Njoku.

Before the announcement of the inauguration date, ASUU had decried the continued erosion of the autonomy of public universities which, according to the union, is a violation of the Universities Miscellaneous ACT 1993 (as amended in 2012).

The dissolution of the governing councils by the President Tinubu-led government, as well as some state governments, the union said, was tantamount to a coup against the public university system.

The Universities Miscellaneous Act No.11 of 1993, amended in 2012 gives room for the ex-officio members, non-ex-officio members; and internal and external members for the governing council.

The ex-officio members consist of the vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellors and one person from the federal ministry of education. These are all members of the council by virtue of their offices. All other members are non-exofficio members.

On the other hand, external members of the council consist of the pro-chancellor, the representative of the federal ministry of education and four other members representing a variety of interests appointed by the national council of ministers, among others.

All other members of the council, including the vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellors, are normally referred to as internal members. These are members and representatives of the university community in the council.