*Inaugurates Chairmen And Governing Councils Of 19
Varsities, Others•Urges Councils To Take Charge
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
![image](/2021/07/lawpv.jpg")
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has revealed how
some state governors have hijacked the process of appointment of
Vice-Chancellors for Federal Universities because of his lack of
interest in the selection processes of new VCs for the
Institutions.
![image](/2021/07/escrow-service1.jpg")
He alluded to this vested interest as responsible for the
unimaginable crises in the selection processes of many Federal
Universities across the country, saying this meddlesomeness has led
to unnecessary friction and tension in the Universities.
Adamu made the revelation, on Thursday, in Abuja during the
inauguration of Chairmen and Governing Councils of 19 Federal
Universities and 4 inter-University Centres as well as the public
presentation of the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of
the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
He has accordingly ordered the Governing Councils to take charge
and exercise their rights and not to allow outside influence in the
selection process of new Vice-Chancellors of their respective
institutions.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Education under me has not in
any way interfere with the selection of any Vice-Chancellor and I
have not talked to any Chairman that I have any candidate.
“Unfortunately, I found out that because of my lack of interest
or because I feel I should allow you (Council) to exercise your
right, it is being hijacked by the governors. It is your right,
don’t sell it to them. The law stipulated that and we are giving
you full independence, don’t sell it to them.
“It is, therefore, essential that you familiarise yourselves
with the specific law establishing your University or
Centre as well as with other relevant laws of the Federation.
“You should, in particular, be guided by the Universities
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1993 and its various amendments
(of 2003 and 2012). You should adhere strictly, for example, to
Section 2AAA of the 2003 Amendment Act which stipulates that “The
Governing Council of a university shall be free in the discharge of
its functions and exercise of its responsibilities for the good
management, growth and development of the University.”
“Section 3 (4) of the same 2003 Amendment reposes on Council the
power to appoint the Vice-Chancellor of the University. I urge you
to exercise this power with utmost sense of responsibility and in
the best interest of your Universities,” Adamu said.
The Minister noted that the reconstitution of the Governing
Councils of the Federal Universities was coming at a propitious
time, in view of the fact that the government recently constituted
Visitation Panels to all Federal Universities.
He added that Panels have recently rounded off their assignments
and would soon submit their Reports in two separate volumes,
covering the periods: January 2011-December 2015, and January 2016
December 2020, respectively.
In accordance with the Panels’ Terms of Reference, each report
would contain scrutiny of the state affairs of the University
during the periods under review; its achievements and the
challenges being faced; working environment (including
relationships with and among staff and students); relations between
Council and Management; how the University relates with its host
communities, as well as with national and international bodies,
among others.
He said as soon as the Visitation Reports were received,
Government would study them and issue White Papers, the
recommendations of which would guide Councils and Management on how
to improve their systems and services by taking necessary steps to
address the lapses and weaknesses identified by the Visitation
Panels.
Adamu, however, warned the Council members that the president
and visitor to the Federal Universities will not hesitate to
dismiss any Council found to be corrupt or incompetent.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving their
appointments, saying he had to literally beg some of them like
former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, and former Minister of National
Planning, Senator Victor Udo Ndoma-Egba to accept the
appointment.
Senator Ndoma-Egba, who spoke on behalf of Pro-Chancellors and
Chairmen of Governing Councils, assured the Minister that they
would approach the assignment with all sense of responsibility and
not disappoint the Federal Government for the confidence reposed on
them.
*Inaugurates Chairmen And Governing Councils Of 19
Varsities, Others•Urges Councils To Take Charge
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has revealed how
some state governors have hijacked the process of appointment of
Vice-Chancellors for Federal Universities because of his lack of
interest in the selection processes of new VCs for the
Institutions.
He alluded to this vested interest as responsible for the
unimaginable crises in the selection processes of many Federal
Universities across the country, saying this meddlesomeness has led
to unnecessary friction and tension in the Universities.
Adamu made the revelation, on Thursday, in Abuja during the
inauguration of Chairmen and Governing Councils of 19 Federal
Universities and 4 inter-University Centres as well as the public
presentation of the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of
the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
He has accordingly ordered the Governing Councils to take charge
and exercise their rights and not to allow outside influence in the
selection process of new Vice-Chancellors of their respective
institutions.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Education under me has not in
any way interfere with the selection of any Vice-Chancellor and I
have not talked to any Chairman that I have any candidate.
“Unfortunately, I found out that because of my lack of interest
or because I feel I should allow you (Council) to exercise your
right, it is being hijacked by the governors. It is your right,
don’t sell it to them. The law stipulated that and we are giving
you full independence, don’t sell it to them.
“It is, therefore, essential that you familiarise yourselves
with the specific law establishing your University or
Centre as well as with other relevant laws of the Federation.
“You should, in particular, be guided by the Universities
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1993 and its various amendments
(of 2003 and 2012). You should adhere strictly, for example, to
Section 2AAA of the 2003 Amendment Act which stipulates that “The
Governing Council of a university shall be free in the discharge of
its functions and exercise of its responsibilities for the good
management, growth and development of the University.”
“Section 3 (4) of the same 2003 Amendment reposes on Council the
power to appoint the Vice-Chancellor of the University. I urge you
to exercise this power with utmost sense of responsibility and in
the best interest of your Universities,” Adamu said.
The Minister noted that the reconstitution of the Governing
Councils of the Federal Universities was coming at a propitious
time, in view of the fact that the government recently constituted
Visitation Panels to all Federal Universities.
He added that Panels have recently rounded off their assignments
and would soon submit their Reports in two separate volumes,
covering the periods: January 2011-December 2015, and January 2016
December 2020, respectively.
In accordance with the Panels’ Terms of Reference, each report
would contain scrutiny of the state affairs of the University
during the periods under review; its achievements and the
challenges being faced; working environment (including
relationships with and among staff and students); relations between
Council and Management; how the University relates with its host
communities, as well as with national and international bodies,
among others.
He said as soon as the Visitation Reports were received,
Government would study them and issue White Papers, the
recommendations of which would guide Councils and Management on how
to improve their systems and services by taking necessary steps to
address the lapses and weaknesses identified by the Visitation
Panels.
Adamu, however, warned the Council members that the president
and visitor to the Federal Universities will not hesitate to
dismiss any Council found to be corrupt or incompetent.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving their
appointments, saying he had to literally beg some of them like
former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, and former Minister of National
Planning, Senator Victor Udo Ndoma-Egba to accept the
appointment.
Senator Ndoma-Egba, who spoke on behalf of Pro-Chancellors and
Chairmen of Governing Councils, assured the Minister that they
would approach the assignment with all sense of responsibility and
not disappoint the Federal Government for the confidence reposed on
them.