President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the impending reconstitution of the governing boards of federal universities in Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to revitalize these institutions.
The president emphasized that the reconstituted boards would be tasked with giving priority to the implementation of various visitation panel reports within the universities.
Represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, President Tinubu made this announcement during the 27th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Abuja over the weekend.
Federal universities have been operating without governing councils since their dissolution was declared by the President in June, as part of a comprehensive directive affecting parastatals under various ministries.
President Tinubu underlined the government’s stance against mediocre performance or lax implementation of white paper recommendations, signaling a commitment to enhancing the quality of higher education.
He also stressed that the government’s financial support for the education sector could not continue at previous levels.
However, President Tinubu offered assurance to university-based unions that any agreements and memoranda signed between them and the government in the future would be faithfully implemented, reinforcing the government’s commitment to engaging constructively with educational stakeholders.