The Nigerian government announces the date to inaugurate the governing council of the institutions

Nigeria’s Education Minister Tahir Maman, a professor, will on Thursday inaugurate the newly appointed members of the governing council of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) revealed this in a letter addressed to the heads of federal government-owned institutions on Friday.

Acting NUC spokesperson,

Offiong Edoh confirmed the letter to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday evening. “Following Mr. President’s approval of the revised list of Governing Councils of Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, I am writing to inform you that the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, CON, will be swearing in the newly appointed Chairman and members of the Governing Councils of Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education,” the letter reads in part.

Revised list, postponed opening

The institutions have been operating without a council since the radical dismissal of President Bola Tinubu last June. This has led to industrial unrest at the University of Abuja, where members of the academic union ASUU accused the management of making decisions reserved for a council.

In May, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) declared a two-week ultimatum for the government to reinstate councils whose mandate had not yet expired and reconstitute those whose mandate had already expired.

A few days later, the Ministry of Education published a list of approved board members of the 111 tertiary institutions. The statement, signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Didi Walson-Jack, lists the names of the presidents and members of the governing councils of the 111 tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

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However, the Ministry of Education was forced to postpone the inauguration of the councils, previously scheduled for May 30, after Tinubu ordered the list to be reviewed following criticism from members of the public who said the list was not complied with federal regulations.

For this reason, the Ministry published another list two weeks ago.

Opening

The inauguration, according to Maiyaki’s letter to the heads of the institutions, will take place on July 4 at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Maiyaki wrote: “The withdrawal of the newly appointed Governing Councils will take place immediately afterwards.

“Due to the size of the Council to be inaugurated (Universities, Polytechnics and Higher Schools of Education) and the limited space on site, it is necessary to restrict external participation in the event.”

The NUC also requested the respective institutions to take responsibility for the travel and accommodation arrangements of their respective councils.

“Vice-Chancellors are therefore kindly requested to note that only Vice-Chancellors and Registrars may accompany members of their Council to the inauguration,” the letter added.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter for Newslodgein association with Report for the World, which brings together local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-reported topics around the world.