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The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated the newly appointed Chairmen and members of Governing Councils of Universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with a charge to attract funding to the institutions.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, inaugurated members of Governing Councils for Federal Tertiary institutions approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a Visitor to the institutions.

President Tinubu had in June 2023, dissolved the governing councils of the tertiary institutions and since then, the institutions have been managed by Vice-Chancellors without the necessary inputs of the Councils.

Mamman, while inaugurating the Councils, said it marked an important milestone in the quest to improve the education sector and re-engineer the governance structure of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

He reminded members of the councils that their job as Governing Councils of the tertiary institutions is tasking and sensitive, especially at the period when the Ministry of Education is poised to transform the education sector in the dear country.

He told them that they were responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing the transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these institutions to achieve the national goals and expectations of tertiary institutions.

The Minister congratulated them and warned them against undue interference in the day-to-day running of the respective institutions.

He said: “There is a clear line of operations between the Management and respective Governing Councils of the tertiary institutions, Councils are not to interfere with the day-to-day management of human, financial, and material resources of the Institutions.”

He, however, urged them to come up with ideas that will shore up the internally generated revenue of the institutions by exploring diverse sources and partners that are willing to invest in education.

“I, therefore, charge you to explore diverse funding sources, including partnerships with the private sector and International Organisations, alumni, endowment and sponsored research to ensure financial sustainability of your Institutions. It is however imperative, that the limited funds allocated by government are judiciously utilised.

“As Governing Councils, one of your responsibilities is to ensure good management, healthy growth and development of your Institutions. One of the challenges that Governing Councils regularly face during their tenure is the appointment of Principal Officers.

“As a Council, you must ensure that proper attention and priority are given to the relevant Acts of the Institutions and Government guidelines for the process of such appointments as well as ensure fairness and transparency. Governing Councils must, at all times, adhere to the ideals of transparency and probity,” he stated.

“You are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these Institutions to achieve the national goals and expectation of tertiary institutions.”

“Governing Councils should encourage responsible unionism in their respective Institutions while arresting the problems of cultism and drug abuse by students Effective strategies should be put in place by Councils for early detection and eradication of social wees such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion and inducement,” he said.

The Minister, however, advised them to know the existing laws guiding the institutions and to always apply the law in their dealings.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, said it is crucial to emphasise the need to adhere to the laws and regulations that establish and govern tertiary institutions.

He said; “Compliance with these legal frameworks ensures that our institutions operate with integrity and accountability. It also helps to safeguard the autonomy of our academic institutions while promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.”

Speaking on behalf of the Governing Councils, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said the relationship between the Management of the universities and Councils should not be that of cat and rat.

He urged them to be cautious in their dealings with members of the universities while he encouraged Vice Chancellors to give councils the opportunity to improve the institutions, saying, “We are to build and not to pull down.”

Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, congratulated the councils and said their doors and windows were open and they would give them 100 percent support to improve the university system. (Nigerian Tribune)

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