Committee of Vice Chancellors tasks members on Institutional Wellness

Vice chancellors and leaders of Universities in Nigeria have been tasked to rethink various approaches to institutional wellness and expand their scope of influence.

The Secretary General of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu gave the charge in Lagos State during an Executive Leadership Programme held on Organisational Wellness for improving innovation and resilience in Nigerian Universities.

According to Prof. Ochefu, “the workshop addressed what the International Association of University Presidents describe as ‘the last ten years of dramatic assault on the nature, character and operations of University systems globally”. 

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami said Vice Chancellors pointed that the society expect so much from the leaders of universities adding that they are expected by various segments of society to do the impossible from ”meagre financial resources”.

Prof. Salami said that the workshop will help the leaders of the ivory towers to sharpen their skills, network and share experiences to face the enormous challenges of university administration in the country.

In his remarks, Chairman, Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities, Dr Victor Imagbe, described Nigerian Vice Chancellors as ‘endangered species’ who are constantly being held to ransom by the various stakeholders.

He commended the Vice Chancellors for their resilience and abilities to withstand the tough times.

The four-day leadership development programme featured lectures on financial leadership and discipline, systems thinking, Investments, expanding access to global pool of research funding, the changing roles of educational institutions, among others.

The Executive Leadership Programme which was organised by the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities was largely attended by Vice Chancellors and other key members, staff of the Nigerian University system.