In a bid to address the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and ensure effective governance in higher education institutions, the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, revealed that the Federal Government is actively working to reconstitute the governing councils of universities.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Maiyaki disclosed that the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, has established a panel tasked with finalizing the list of members for the governing councils. He assured that once the list is completed, the councils will be inaugurated promptly.
The move comes in response to ASUU’s recent ultimatum, where the union demanded the reconstitution of governing councils within a two-week period. Maiyaki acknowledged the significance of this task, emphasizing the government’s commitment to appointing qualified individuals with the necessary expertise to drive President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.
Maiyaki also addressed the pressing issue of access to higher education, highlighting the insufficiency of the current 272 universities in Nigeria to accommodate the growing demand from aspiring students. He stressed the need for continued expansion to meet the demand for quality education across the country.
Furthermore, Maiyaki outlined various initiatives undertaken by the NUC to enhance the nation’s university system. These include strategic priorities such as curriculum development, quality assurance, research and innovation, infrastructure development, and internationalization efforts. He emphasized the importance of aligning curricula with contemporary global standards, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Additionally, Maiyaki discussed the implementation of guidelines aimed at promoting open and distance learning, transnational education, e-learning, and the establishment of private open universities. These initiatives seek to improve the quality, equity, and access to university education in Nigeria while reducing the reliance on foreign institutions.
