Dr. Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, has advised the newly appointed governing councils of federal tertiary institutions that university autonomy must be balanced with accountability.
Minister Alausa stressed that transparency is crucial and non-negotiable in all aspects of university operations, including procurement, budgeting, appointments, and contract awards.
“They are to serve as custodians of public trust, and the government will not hesitate to take appropriate action where there are clear breaches of responsibility,” he said at the inauguration of governing council members for key federal tertiary institutions held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Presenting letters of appointments to the council members, Alausa charged them to provide visionary and accountable leadership to reposition Nigeria’s universities and colleges for global competitiveness.
He said: “I wish to commend and congratulate all the appointees on your nomination and subsequent confirmation to serve in these critical capacities. Your appointments are not only a recognition of your individual achievements and contributions to national development, but also a call to serve with integrity, vision, and accountability.
“Governing Councils are the highest policy-making bodies in our Tertiary Institutions sectors. They are charged with the responsibility of ensuring sound institutional governance, policy formulation, financial oversight, and promotion of academic and administrative excellence.
“It is therefore, imperative that the individuals who constitute these councils possess the competence, experience and commitment to reposition our universities to meet national and global expectations.
“In recent years, our tertiary education system has faced a number of challenges—ranging from funding constraints and infrastructural deficits to industrial disputes, governance lapses, and decline in global rankings.
“As council members, you are expected to bring new ideas, critical oversight, and a spirit of collaboration that will support the growth and stability of our Tertiary Institutions.
“I urge you to work closely with university management teams, especially the Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts in a manner that is supportive but not intrusive. Your role is not to run the universities on a daily basis, but to provide strategic direction and ensure that the institutions are governed in accordance with the relevant laws and extant policies.”
The Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s steadfast dedication to revamping the nation’s tertiary institutions. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has shown unwavering commitment through several key initiatives:
* Increased infrastructure investment
* Deployment of solar energy solutions to improve campus power supply
* Improvements in staff welfare
* Expansion of access to quality tertiary education.
He also said: “As a Ministry, we remain committed to supporting all our Institutions through policies that enhance access, quality, research output, and employability of graduates.
“The ongoing revitalisation of the university system requires all hands on deck—from government to institutional leaders, council members, industry stakeholders, and development partners.
“I therefore, charge you to see this assignment not as a ceremonial honour, but as a national duty—an opportunity to contribute to the future of our children and the greatness of our country through the advancement of knowledge.”
Earlier, in her address of welcome, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, congratulated the appointees, saying their roles underscored the trust in their expertise and commitment to Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Ahmad described the event as a significant milestone in the country’s collective journey to strengthen governance and accountability within its federal universities.
The Minister said that the governing councils play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of universities, ensuring sound financial management, promoting academic excellence, and fostering a culture of transparency and service.
She said: “As Council members, you are expected to uphold the principles of good governance, provide policy guidance, support the Vice-Chancellors and management teams, and ensure that universities operate within the framework of the law, national policy, and global best practices.
“It is crucial that while your mandate is to provide oversight and strategic direction, it is done with collaboration, mutual respect, and adherence to due process.
“The Ministry, on its part, will continue to work closely with the universities and their governing councils to address systemic challenges, including funding, infrastructure, industrial harmony, research capacity, and employability of graduates.
“I am confident that with your commitment and dedication, we can collectively reposition our universities to deliver on their core mandates of teaching, research, and community service.”
Responding on behalf of the appointees, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve.
He assured the Federal Government of the councils’ collective resolve to support the transformation of the nation’s education sector.
The newly appointed chairpersons include Vice-Admiral Victor Ombu (retired), Chairman of the Governing Council, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State; and Prof. Oluremi Aina, Chairman, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State.
Others are Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu, Executive Secretary, National Mass Education Commission (NMEC); Adebayo Onigbanjo, National Coordinator, Special Programmes Operations and Implementation Unit (SPOIU); and Mr. Chidi Nwogu, Chairman, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja.
Also appointed were Dr Folashade Kareem, Chairman, University of Jos; Dr Olusina Adeniyi, Chairman, Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; and Babatunde Olokun, Chairman, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, among others.
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