Highlighting Systemic Issues
Senator Joshua Lidani, Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities COPSUN, condemned the premature and indiscriminate dissolution of university governing boards. He described these acts as illegal and detrimental to the stability and effectiveness of institutional governance. During his speech, Senator Lidani discussed various critical issues plaguing universities, including corruption, impersonation at exam centres, and inadequate funding.
Call for Collaboration in University Governance
Senator Joshua Lidani, Chairman of COPSUN, has urged university stakeholders to collaborate to tackle persistent challenges in higher education. Speaking at COPSUN’s seventh biennial conference in Lagos, Lidani emphasized the importance of effective governance and stakeholder involvement to enhance educational standards.
A Strong Stance Against Governing Board Dissolutions
Lidani emphasized that arbitrarily dismissing governing boards creates significant administrative gaps, leading to governance anomalies and reducing education quality. He asserted that such actions disrupt the needed continuity and stability in educational institutions, calling for their immediate cessation.
Building a Collaborative Future
Furthermore, the chairman of the conference’s opening ceremony, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, urged pro-chancellors to develop strategies that would elevate state universities to the same level of competence and attractiveness as federal and private institutions. “It is crucial for state-owned universities to identify and capitalize on their unique strengths,” Gambari advised.
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Emeritus Professor Julius Okojie also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence among university leaders. He argued that effective governance could be achieved through collaborative efforts and understanding among all educational stakeholders.
Continuing the Dialogue
The conference, which aims to chart a path forward for improving university governance, will conclude on July 12, 2024. It serves as a platform for raising awareness and fostering discussions on enhancing educational quality and governance across Nigeria’s state-owned universities.
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