FG Constitutes Governing Councils for Tertiary Institutions

In a significant administrative overhaul, the Federal Government of Nigeria has constituted the governing councils of 111 federal tertiary institutions, comprising 24 colleges of education, 37 polytechnics, and 50 universities.

The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education, which disclosed the names of notable technocrats, politicians, and traditional leaders appointed to these councils.

Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, revealed that the inauguration and retreat for the newly appointed council members are scheduled for May 30 and 31, 2024. The events will be held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters in Abuja, starting at 9:00 a.m. each day.

Among the distinguished appointees are labor activist Issa Aremu, former Executive Secretary of the NUC Peter Okebukola, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Yusuf Alli, and former governor of Bauchi State Isa Yuguda. These individuals, alongside other prominent figures, have been entrusted with the leadership of various academic institutions.

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For instance, the former INEC chairman will lead the governing council of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS), while Okebukola will head the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Yusuf Alli will oversee the Federal University of Lagos (UNILAG), and Issa Aremu will chair the Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, Nasarawa State.

Additionally, Isa Yuguda will preside over the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) governing council, and former senator Joy Emordi will lead the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri, Imo State. Yayale Ahmed, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, will head the council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.

This reconstitution follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu, who dissolved the governing councils of all federal universities in June. The move, however, has been met with criticism from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The union contends that the dissolution was “illegal” and has resulted in various irregularities within the Nigerian University System.

ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke, in a press conference, expressed the union’s disapproval, stating, “ASUU shall do all within its powers to ensure that the dignity of the academia is fully restored in line with practices obtainable in forward-looking climes.” The union remains committed to addressing the perceived disruptions caused by the dissolution and aims to uphold the integrity of academic governance in Nigeria.

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The upcoming inauguration and retreat are expected to set the tone for the new governing councils, emphasizing their roles in steering the educational institutions towards excellence and stability amidst ongoing challenges.

The governing councils that have been established are listed below:

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