President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed several prominent figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, former Bauchi Governor Alhaji Isa Yuguda, and former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, to the newly announced Governing Councils of federal universities,Daily Trust reports.
The list also features notable individuals such as Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, son of the late Head of State Sani Abacha; Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma; Prof. Munzali Jibril; Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN; Sen. Joy Emordi; and Prof. Julius Okojie, among others.
The comprehensive list includes five appointees for each of 50 universities, 37 polytechnics, and 24 colleges of education, totaling 111 institutions. These individuals will serve as Pro-Chancellors/Chairmen and members of the Governing Boards.
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This announcement was made through an advertorial by the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, in a national daily. According to the advertorial, the inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will be held on Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission in Maitama, Abuja, starting at 9 am each day.
The appointments follow a recent threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to strike, due to the Federal Government’s delay in appointing Governing Councils for federal universities, which have been operating without them for a year. ASUU stated that operating without councils is illegal, as these bodies are essential for oversight of university activities and finances.
An issue has arisen with the Federal Government College Kano, listed as the Federal University of Education Kano, causing confusion among staff about the institution’s status. Barrister AU Mustapha (SAN) has been named Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of its new Governing Council, with Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, Ibrahim Umar Kusfa, Aysha Ahmad Mohammed, and Fatima Ahmed Juddun as members. However, staff remain unclear about the upgrade due to a lack of official communication from the Federal Ministry of Education.
A staff member, speaking anonymously, expressed uncertainty about the institution’s status, noting that while FCE Kano has been accredited to offer both NCE and degree programs, there has been no formal update on its conversion to a university.
Previously, on May 20, 2015, the Federal Executive Council, led by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, approved the upgrade of four federal colleges of education to universities of education, a move announced by then Education Minister Ibrahim Shekarau to enhance teacher education quality.
A ministry source indicated that the Federal Government College Zaria has been operating a dual mode system unlawfully by obtaining Senate approval without proper authority. The source emphasized that only the federal government can officially determine the colleges’ university status.
When contacted, Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, asserted confidence in the government’s accuracy in the list, reaffirming its authority.
