The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has inaugurated the newly appointed members of the governing councils of selected federal tertiary institutions and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education.

Mr Alausa, who presented letters of appointment to the appointees on Tuesday in Abuja, charged them to provide visionary and accountable leadership to reposition Nigeria’s universities and colleges for global competitiveness.

In his keynote address, the minister congratulated the appointees on their nominations and confirmation, saying their appointment was both a recognition of their achievements and a call to national service.

He noted that governing councils, as the highest policy-making bodies in tertiary institutions, play an important role in institutional governance, policy formulation, financial oversight, and ensuring academic and administrative excellence.

Mr Alausa acknowledged the numerous challenges confronting the tertiary education sector, including funding constraints, infrastructural deficits, industrial disputes, and declining global rankings.

He urged the new council members to provide strategic oversight while respecting the autonomy of university management.

“Your role is not to run the universities on a daily basis, but to provide strategic direction and ensure that the institutions are governed in accordance with the relevant laws and extant policies,” he stated.

The minister stressed that university autonomy must be matched with transparency and accountability in procurement, budgeting, appointments, and contract awards.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to revitalising the tertiary education sector under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Strategic engagements with stakeholders have led to policy reforms aimed at fostering institutional autonomy, promoting research and innovation, and ensuring industrial harmony,” Mr Alausa said.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, chairman of the Governing Council of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), thanked Mr Tinubu for the opportunity to serve.

He assured the federal government of the councils’ collective resolve to support the transformation of the nation’s education sector.

The newly appointed chairpersons include Victor Ombu (rtd), chairman of the Governing Council, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State; and Oluremi Aina, chairman, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State.

Others are Shuaibu Aliyu, executive secretary, National Mass Education Commission (NMEC); Adebayo Onigbanjo, national coordinator, Special Programmes Operations and Implementation Unit (SPOIU); and Chidi Nwogu, chairman, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja.

Also appointed were Folashade Kareem, chairman, University of Jos; Olusina Adeniyi, chairman, Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State; and Babatunde Olokun, chairman, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, among others.

(NAN)