Federal Government Constitutes Governing Councils for Federal Universities

By AmforGod J. Olisa

The Federal Government has announced the formation of governing councils for federal universities across Nigeria, addressing a significant demand by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Prominent figures such as former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Joy Emordi; legal luminary Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Senator Udoma Udoma have been named as pro-chancellors and chairmen of these institutions. The comprehensive list was released on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Education.

This development comes just days after ASUU threatened a nationwide strike due to the government’s failure to reconstitute the governing councils nearly a year after their dissolution. At a recent press conference, ASUU issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet their demands.

In a statement, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, announced that the inauguration and retreat for the newly constituted governing councils will take place on May 30 and 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission in Abuja.

“The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00 am daily,” Walson-Jack stated.

The councils, consisting of technocrats, politicians, and traditional rulers, cover 50 federal universities, 37 polytechnics, and 24 colleges of education. Notable appointments include former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Udoma Udo Udoma as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Bayero University, Kano; Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Wole Olanipekun as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG); and former Governor of Bauchi State Isa Yuguda leading the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Other significant appointments include Prof. Jibrilla Dahiru Amin heading the University of Abuja, currently dealing with an indefinite strike by its ASUU chapter, and Yusuf Ali, SAN, as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola and Dr. Abiodun Layonu have been appointed to lead the governing councils of the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Benin, respectively.

In the polytechnic sector, key appointments include HRH Arc. Ezeogo Ewa Elechi for Federal Polytechnic, Ugep; Salisu Kallamu for Federal Polytechnic, Oko; and Otunba Tajudeen Abioye for Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State. The colleges of education will see leadership from figures such as David Andrew Adejo for the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, and Comrade Isa Aremu for the Federal College of Education (Tech), Keana.

This move is expected to bring stability and governance to these institutions, fulfilling a crucial requirement for their efficient operation and addressing ASUU’s long-standing concerns.