The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has inaugurated the Governing Councils of 19 Federal Universities and four Inter-University Centres.
Adamu has also presented publicly the newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
According to the Minister, the persons selected to Chair and serve as members of the various Councils are experienced men and women of proven integrity who are, not only knowledgeable in university affairs but also familiar with the policy options of Government in the tertiary education sector as well as the Nigerian University System.
Inaugurating the Councils in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said the powers of Councils shall be exercised as contained in the Law and Statutes of each Universities they chair.
He said, “Thus, the laws establishing each of the Universities and Centres you are appointed to superintend over define the functions and responsibilities of the Governing Council.”
He explained that the Councils shall be the governing body of the University with powers of general control and superintendence over the policy, finances, and properties of the University.
Adamu called on the apointees to strictly adhere to the section 2A of the 2003 Amendment Act which stipulates that “the Governing Council of a university shall be free in the discharge of its functions and exercise of its responsibilities for the good management, growth and development of the University.
“Also Section 3(4) of the same 2003 Amendment reposes on Council the power to appoint the Vice-Chancellor of the University.”
The Minister however called on the Councils to exercise their powers with sense of responsibility and in the best interest of the Universities.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Rasheed Adamu, stated that the Commission expects the new Councils to partner with the NUC to ensure that their institutions thrive to be Centres of knowledge production and human development .
The NUC Executive Secretary disclosed that the Commission has engaged in the re-engineering of the curriculum of the various disciplines and programmes being run in the universities.
“We have reviewed key aspects of our quality assurance mechanisms. strove to address the inadequacies in teaching, learning and research facilities on our campuses whilst also fostering skills development and entrepreneurship in a bid to prepare our graduates for life after tertiary education,” Professor Rasheed added.
Responding on behalf of the Chairmen Governing councils, the Chairman of Governing Council of Bayero University Kano, Senator Udo Udoma said the Council Chairmen would strictly adhere to laws establishing the universities.
He further pledged the commitment of the Governing councils to work hard and ensure that quality of education was enhanced and improved in Nigeria.
Confidence Okwuchi
