The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), has called on the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU to resolve all issues as soon as possible to avoid what it called “breakage of academic calendar.“
The Chairman of the CVCNU, Prof. Gowon Edoumiekumo made this known in Abuja at the end of its 80th meeting.
The Vice Chancellors said all that the Nigerian University system is asking for is better funding even as the CVCNU sustain talks with both ASUU and the government on resolution of “knots” in it agreements.
According to Prof Edoumiekumo, “what we are looking for is better funding of our university system. The CVC is talking to both parties to see that the matters are resolved amicably but funding of our universities is critical if we must compete favourably with our sister universities overseas.
“At the heart of the dispute is the public universities’ funding, which members noted is grossly inadequate by the government at the Federal and State Levels.“
Speaking on Admissions into universities across the country, Prof Gowon said that the committee has resolved to meet with the JAMB authorities to draw attention to the illegal admissions and proffer solutions on how to solve it.
Also speaking on the role of professional bodies, Gowon said that the committee agreed to hold a comprehensive stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the accreditation and verification programmes in universities.
“The Committee noted certain areas of conflict in the role and activities of professional bodies in the resource verification and accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian Universities.
“While the laws establishing universities grant their Senate the right to govern the academic processes, several professional bodies, citing their laws, insist on regulating the curriculum and training of students in those professions.
“It resolved that a high-powered committee should be empaneled to research the laws of these professional bodies and see how they negate the laws of Universities,” he added.
The CVC Chair further said that the committee members are worried with the ways National Assembly summon vice Chancellors to various committees, saying this is improper.
He added that in a bid to address this, a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly was suggested to finding a better process of engagement.
