The acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, explained the delay in reconstituting the governing councils of federal universities, citing the government’s commitment to appointing the most qualified individuals to these councils.
Maiyaki stated this Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.
He urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to trust in the federal government and the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to appoint qualified and competent individuals to the governing councils of the 61 federal universities.
ASUU had expressed concerns about the non-reinstatement or reconstitution of governing councils in public universities, linking this issue to ongoing illegalities and violations of autonomy.
In response, Maiyaki reassured that the government is taking the necessary time to ensure that only the most qualified people are selected for these councils.
He mentioned the constitution of a local organising committee and indicated that the governing councils would be inaugurated soon.
Once constituted, the councils would undergo orientation courses to familiarise themselves with government structures, institutional laws, and address cross-cutting issues, he said.