Tinubu Dumps Governing Councils List, Orders Review Over Protests
BY EDMOND ODOK – Following the outcry by unions and stakeholders in the nation’s higher education sector, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a total and comprehensive review of appointees into the governing boards of tertiary institutions before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.
The President’s directive is coming on the heels of protests by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), among others that have so far rejected the list and demanded that a review be carried out.
The Governing Board members’ list for 111 federal tertiary institutions nationwide was released last week by the Federal Ministry of Education containing names of technocrats, politicians, and traditional rulers for 50 universities, 37 polytechnics, and 24 colleges of education.
A statement announcing the list of nominees by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, indicated that the inauguration and retreat for the Council members would take place on May 30 and 31, 2024.
However, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday that President Tinubu has ordered an immediate review of the controversial list.
According to him; “President Bola Tinubu has directed a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.”
“The Federal Ministry of Education recently released names of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, Polytechnics, and colleges of education. It also announced that the inauguration and retreat for the nominees will take place on 31 May.
“However, public reactions showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination, while some others got many. In directing a complete review of the list of members, President Tinubu acknowledges the feedback across the country.”
“President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution. The review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented”, Onanuga’s statement concluded.
