The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has urged the newly inaugurated governing council of 23 federal universities to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities.
Adamu gave this advice on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the reconstituted governing board of the universities.
He also called on the councils to look inward to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base (IGR) of the universities with a view to support the universities.
According to the minister, the governing council should annually review the university budget to monitor its performance and assess the overall impact of its implementation.
“In view of the current economic situation in the country, I call for the prudent management of the scarce resources while efforts should be intensified to broaden the Internally Generated Revenue Base of each university.
“You should also ensure the judicious application of revenues so generated,’’ Adamu said.
The minister also called on the council to be agents of change by seeing to it that every act of corruption was avoided in their various universities.
“You should join the crusade of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, by making this fight visible in the universities.
“As seasoned and successful individuals in the public, private sectors and in your various professions, you will be expected to live above board in the discharge of your duties.
“ Any corrupt practices by councils including condoling cases of indiscipline by staff, is bound to have a destructive effect on the system and on the products of the system, hence must be avoided,’’ he said.
He, however, urged universities management to support the governing councils as they implement policies and decisions of the council.
In his address, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission called on the councils to display a high sense of commitment in the discharge of their duties.
Rasheed, who emphasized the role of the council in the development of universities, said the commission would continue to support the councils to achieve its desired result.
“NUC appreciates the critical role of the governing council in the development of Nigerian universities.
“The NUC will continue to make itself available to ensure that it succeeds in its task and to succeed, every one of you should display a high sense of commitment, teamwork and dedication no matter the challenges,’’ he said.
Also, Hon. Suleiman Aminu, Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund stressed the need for the councils to synergise with Vice Chancellors of the universities to ensure unity of purpose.
Aminu promised to work with the legislature to ensure that universities were properly funded, adding that the various leakages in the universities must be blocked.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari sometimes in April constituted the chairmen of governing councils of these universities.
The selection was made in cognizance with provisions of the respective legislation with respect to composition, competence, credibility, integrity, federal character and geo-political spread.
Those inaugurated are: Amb. Nimota Akanbi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Mukhtar Mohammed, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Bayero University, Kano, Sen. J.N. Waku, Federal University of Technology Akure and Prof. Shehu Zuru, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.
Others are, Prof. Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. John Ofem, Federal University, Owerri, Mr Muhammad Zayyanu, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Mr Bukar Zarma, Modibbo Adama Univrersity of Technology, Yola.
Also to head are, Aziz Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Sani Maikudi, University of Abuja, Dr Aboki Zhawa, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Alkassum Abba, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Isah Ashiru, University of Benin.
Others are, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, University of Calabar, Joshua Waklek, University of Ibadan, Dr Jibril Oyekan, University of Ilorin, Tony Momoh, University of Jos, Dr Wale Babalakin, University of Lagos and Prof. Biodun Adesanya, University of Maiduguri.
Also in the group are, Mike Olorunfemi, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. A.C. Awujo, University of Jos and Hon. Pearl Enajere, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.
