The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Councils of tertiary institutions to effect the smooth running of Nigerian Universities Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the next four years.
Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who inaugurated the Chairmen and members of the councils in Abuja, on Thursday, said it was tough making the decision as he has not rested in last 10 months over the issue.
He congratulated them and warned them against undue interference in the human, financial and resource management of the 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.”
Prof Mamman urged them to come up with ideas that will shore up the internally generated revenue of the institutions by exploring diverse sources and partner that are willing to invest in education.
“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 emphasize the need to adhere to the laws and regulations that establish and govern the 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 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 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.
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