By Abiola Olawale
Ahead of the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees, President Bola Tinubu has directed a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards of federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Recall that 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 would 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.
One of the vocal opposition to the reconstituted governing board of tertiary institutions is the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
After the announcement, the ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, was quoted as saying, “We said they should reinstate the illegally-dissolved governing councils. We didn’t say they should constitute new ones. As far as we are concerned, they have not met any.”
A statement issued on Thursday, May 23, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said that in directing a complete review of the list of members, President Tinubu acknowledged the feedback across the country.
According to the statement, “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.”
