Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has charged governing councils of 42 federal universities to work towards inclusion of Nigerian universities in global ranking. He gave the charge yesterday in Abuja, when he declared open, a two-day retreat with the theme: “Elements of Statutory Governance, Procurement and Financial Accounting in Nigerian Universities.” Represented by Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, he said the university system played vital roles in the development of a country; hence should not be allowed to take the back seat in national discourse. Adamu said besides, the Change Agenda of the federal government would be a mirage if the university system did not rise to the challenges facing it.
He advised governing councils to look outside the box and bring development to the system, stressing that it the universities were healthy, the nation would benefit from it. Participants at the two-day retreat would also be expected to discuss on university governance, accountability and procurement and proffer solutions to teething problems facing the system. NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, in his welcome address, said the retreat was strategic, “particularly now that good governance is occupying the centre stage of discussions.”
He said it was the place of universities to produce people with good character to ensure good governance, adding that “governance is in the heart of tertiary education all over the world.” Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, representing the Committee of Vice-Chancellors (CVC) of Federal Universities, said the retreat was apt in that it would bring the academia closer to government.
