The Federal Government has announced the names of the Pro-Chancellors, Chairmen, and members of the governing boards of 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, almost a year after the National Universities Commission (NUC) dissolved them.
50 federal universities, 37 polytechnics, and 24 colleges of education make up the list, which includes technocrats, politicians, and traditional rulers.
A former Bauchi Governor, Isa Yuguda, will chair the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), while a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, leads the council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.
Additionally, former Ebonyi Governor Martin Elechi will chair the Governing Council of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, while former Adamawa Governor Bala James Ngilari will chair the Governing Council of the Federal University of Calabar, Cross River State.
Also, the government appointed former Borno Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Abubakar Jatau, as chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State; former Katsina Deputy Governor, Tukur Jikamshi, as chair of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; and former Anambra Senator, Joy Emordi, will chair the council of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State.
Others include the appointment of Prof. Julius Okojie, the former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, as chairman of the governing council of Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Udoma Udo Udoma, the former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Bayero University, Kano, Kano State; and Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
A one-time Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, as well as Dr. Abiodun Layonu, head the University of Port Harcourt and University of Benin Governing Councils, respectively.
The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, appointed Adamu Rasheed, the immediate-past Executive Secretary of NUC, to chair its governing council a few months into his second term in office.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, signed an advertorial containing the names of the governing councils.
The Council members’ inauguration and retreat will take place on May 30 and 31, 2024, at the NUC headquarters in Abuja, according to Persecondnews.
Some of the chairmen of boards of polytechnics include: HRH Arc. Ezeogo Ewa Elechi (Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State); Salisu Kallamu (Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State); Ekem Okeke (Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State); Sir Paul C. Chukwuma (Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Kano State); Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina State); Otunba Tajudeen Abioye (Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State); Prof. Erik Omogbai (Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State), among others.
For colleges of education, the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Andrew Adejo, heads the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos State, as Chairman, while renowned labor leader, Comrade Isa Aremu, pilots affairs as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, Nasarawa State.
Also on the list are Sen. Binta Masi (Federal College of Education, Iditep, Akwa Ibom State); Prof. Isah Garba (Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State); and Sen. Emmanuel Anosike (Federal College of Education, Aha-Amufu, Enugu State), among others.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had threatened to strike if the government failed to reconstitute university governing councils within two weeks.
On June 22, 2023, the National Universities Commission (NCC) announced the dissolution of the governing councils of all federal universities, as well as the boards of other agencies and parastatals in the country.
The NUC directive was based on a similar one three days earlier by President Bola Tinubu ordering the dissolution of the boards of all government parastatals, agencies, and companies.
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