By Ngozi Nwankwo
The newly inaugurated Governing Councils of the federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been charged to explore diverse funding sources to ensure sustainability of nation’s institutions.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman gave the charge at the official Inauguration of Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, ” I must also reiterate that the Federal Government alone cannot meet the enormous needs of Higher Education in Nigeria. Effective financial management and resource mobilisation are crucial in discharging this task. I, therefore, charge you to explore diverse funding sources, including partnerships with the private sector and International Organisations, alumni, endowment and sponsored research to ensure financial sustainability of your Institutions. It is however imperative, that the limited funds allocated by Government are judiciously utilised.”
While congratulating the governing councils, Mamman said the federal government is fully aware of the critical role of Governing Councils in ensuring efficient management of the tertiary Institutions, adding that, it was the reason that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the re-constitution of Governing Councils of the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
The Minister enumerated many challenges facing Nigerian education system, urging the councils to assist in repositioning the system.
“Your role as Governing Councils of the tertiary Institutions is tasking and sensitive, especially at this period when the Ministry of Education is poised to transform the education sector in our dear country. You are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these Institutions to achieve the national goals and expectation of tertiary institutions.
“Although the tertiary Institutions have, over the years, produced graduates with skills and competencies to compete favorably across the globe, our education sector is still grappling with many challenges. And the Government has huge expectations for each of you in addressing the challenges facing the tertiary Institutions,” he said.
Other challenges in education system Minister mentioned include: Low carrying capacity resulting from insufficient infrastructure, inadequate academic, non-academic and technical staff; unstable academic calendar; examination malpractices; insufficient deployment of ICT and other innovative technologies for teaching, learning and research; the proliferation of illegal tertiary Institutions, certificate racketeering, and gender imbalance.
While encouraging the councils to embrace the appointment with total commitment and share vision, Mamman reminded them that their responsibilities is to ensure good management, healthy growth and development of their Institutions.
“You should be abreast of the current Acts of your various Institutions, Government policies, White Papers Circulars, Gazettes and other relevant documents, relating to the Institutions and those of general application in MDAS,” he said.
Advising them further, Minister said, “One of the challenges that Governing Councils regularly face during their tenure is the appointment of Principal Officers. As a Council, you must ensure that proper attention and priority are given to the relevant Acts of the Institutions and Government guidelines for the process of such appointments as well as ensure fairness and transparency. Governing Councils must, at all times, adhere to the ideals of transparency and probity.
“Governing Councils should encourage responsible unionism in their respective Institutions while arresting the problems of cultism and drug abuse by students Effective strategies should be put in place by Councils for early detection and eradication of social wees such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion, inducement and others.”
Also, Mamman disclosed the intention of the federal government to carry out a complete census of all schools, teachers, and students at all levels of education in Nigeria, adding that data generated from this census exercise would guide the Government on matters of gender ratio, specific learning needs, allocation of resources, progress monitoring.
In his welcome address, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu congratulated the Councils and urged them to adhere to the laws and regulations that establish and govern the tertiary institutions.
“Compliance with these legal frameworks ensures that our institutions operate with integrity and accountability. It also helps to safeguard the autonomy of our academic institutions while promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
” As you assume your roles, I urge you to familiarize yourselves with these laws and ensure that all decisions and actions are in full compliance. This adherence will not only protect the credibility of our institutions but also enhance their ability to fulfil their educational missions effectively,” he advised.
Giving his Goodwill message, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education,NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje congratulated Councils, expressed his optimism they would turn around the fortune of the education sector and advised them to think outside the box on how to raise funds for universities.
Responding, the Representative of the Appointees, Prof. Wale Babalakin, appreciated the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding members of the Councils worthy to serve.
Babalakin appealed to the Ministers of Education to assist the universities to be productive.
While promising the Councils’ commitment to the appointment, Babalakin also appealed to the federal government to give them free hand for effective discharge of duty.