Inauguration Postponed
In view of having a comprehensive review as ordered by the President, the Federal Government (FG) postpones the inauguration and retreat for pro-chancellors, chairmen, and members of governing councils of Universities, scheduled for May 30 and 31, 2024 to a yet to be disclosed date.
Presidential Directive
This postponement stems from a directive by President Bola Tinubu, who mandated a thorough review of the governing council memberships. The directive, conveyed via a State House press release on May 23, 2024, calls for an evaluation to ensure balanced representation across the councils of federal tertiary institutions.
Official Announcement
The ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Biriowo, confirmed the postponement in a statement released on Sunday. Biriowo expressed regret over any inconvenience caused and assured that further updates would be provided in due course. This move reflects the government’s commitment to equitable representation in educational governance.
Review of Nominations
President Tinubu previously approved the appointment of 555 individuals to serve as pro-chancellors, chairmen, and members of governing boards for 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. However, the nominations sparked criticism for not reflecting the federal character, with some states receiving disproportionate representation.
Public Backlash
The directive for a review followed significant public backlash, including protests from the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics. These groups argued that the initial nominations did not adequately represent all regions and called for a more balanced approach to the appointments.
Future Updates
The Federal Ministry of Education will communicate further details regarding the new dates for the inauguration and retreat. The ongoing review underscores the government’s commitment to addressing public concerns and ensuring fair representation in the governance of federal tertiary institutions.
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