PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS A HOLISTIC REVIEW OF THE GOVERNING BOARDS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Ononuga, on Thursday 23 May 2024, directed the comprehensive review of the newly announced Governing Boards of Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education in Nigeria before the proposed retreat and inauguration.
Recall that the Federal Ministry of Education through the Permanent Secretary, Esther Didi Walson-Jack, announced the names of the nominees for Chairmen, Pro-Chancellor, Members of Boards and Council of Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education.
The statement also contained the dates of their retreat and inauguration on Thursday 30 May and Friday 31, 2024 at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The gesture by the President is laudable because Federal and State tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been running without a Governing Council, a vital part of the administration of institutions that was dissolved by President Tinubu barely a month after he was sworn in as Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which amount to gross violations of the autonomy of the universities in Nigeria.
Despite this development, members of the public launched a vehement criticism of what they considered “A lopsided appointment” by the President because the nominees did not reflect the Federal Character Principle as some States got higher slots while some had only one nomination.
The directive of Mr. President is expected at this time, to consider national and geographical spread in strict compliance with the Principle of Federal Character as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
