VC appointments: Buhari cautions pro-chancellors against violating due process


President Muhammadu Buhari has warned heads of governing councils of Nigerian universities against mismanaging the process of appointing vice chancellors, saying they would be held responsible for any crisis arising from the process.


The president who was represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed, gave the warning at the 2020 convocation and 72nd foundation day celebration of the University of Ibadan (UI) Tuesday, said government was worried about the avalanche of petitions, mostly  bordering on serious allegations of bribery and corruption as well as disrespect for due process in the course of selecting new vice chancellors in federal universities. 


The Visitor to the University, further warned that government will not hesitate to dissolve or suspend all erring governing councils or university managements that act below standard.


He said government has set in motion several mechanisms to monitor the selection process of VCs with a view to taking appropriate measures to ensure that the processes are conducted in open, fair and transparent manner.


“Pro-Chancellors, in their dual role as chairpersons of governing councils and chairpersons of the five person selection committee for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, must be prepared to bear full responsibility for the management or mismanagement of the process. It is our hope the University of Ibadan,   as Nigeria’s premier university, will live up to its billing in this respect,” he said.


While stating that government has strengthened institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, (ICPC) in the fight against corruption, the president said it is not useful to talk of adequate funding of education if universities are mired in crisis, confusion, fraud and lack of institutional vision.  
“I am glad to say that these organisations are working relentlessly to tackle corruption in all its ramifications and to promote the well-being of this nation. It is our collective responsibility to work together and stamp out corruption from our society.  “Government is determined to continue to fight corruption at all levels, including in our tertiary institutions.” 


Buhari assured the university community that the federal government would continue to meet its obligations to universities and the education sector. He said that government was not unmindful of the special role universities play in the uplift of the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens. 
“For this reason, Government shall continue to give the necessary support to enable the universities to achieve the objectives for which they were established.  The universities, on their own part, will need to reciprocate the kind gesture of Government by striving, at all time, to measure up to expectation and to justify the huge investment on them.”


The President commended UI for ranking among the first 500 universities in the world. 
“I congratulate the Council, Management, Staff and Students for this lofty achievement. I urge you to continue to aim higher and continue to work harder to make this great University the envy of all. I wish to assure you that, in spite of our diminished financial capacity, my Administration will continue to support you in your pursuit of global competitiveness.”
He said ASUU strike has gone on for far too long and caused enough devastation in the lives of students and the universities alike, urging university teachers to return to their classrooms.


“I wish to assure all stakeholders, in the education sector, that the Federal Government will continue to meet its obligations and agreements with all unions.”
He advised university unions to dialogue insted of confrontation with government.
“However, it must be noted that Government alone cannot carry the enormous burden of financing education.  The private sector must be actively involved in the task of providing quality education for Nigerians.”


In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, noted that a total of 528 students graduated with first degrees in various disciplines across all faculties of the institution, while 220 persons were awarded Master’s degrees.


Olayinka also disclosed that 89 postgraduate diplomas were awarded while 37 candidates were awarded PhDs.
He noted that the university was ranked 401 in the first 500 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education for 2021, despite challenges of funding.
UI which occupies 401th position in global ranking  conferred honorary degrees and fellowships on Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, Dr Olaywola Francis, Chief Mrs. Comfort Ayodele Idowu and Mr. John G.

Leave a Reply