FG urges governing boards of federal institutions to use their expertise to raise education standard
By Uji A. Iliyasu
Abuja
The Federal Government has called on Board of Trustees of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Governing Councils of federal tertiary institutions to use their expertise to ensure improved education quality and performance across educational establishments.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, stated this during the inauguration of the TETFund’s board of trustees and the governing councils of some federal tertiary institutions in Abuja on Tuesday.
Professor Mamman urged the councils to use their professional networks to attract resources and support for the institutions, stressing that government has high expectations of their ability to address the numerous challenges bedeviling higher education in the country.
Mamman declared, “Your appointment is a clear recognition of your track records, established integrity, and experience. These appointments reflect the diversity of our nation, professions, expertise, and experience in various areas.
“I want to thank you for accepting this invitation to join in the task of advancing our tertiary institutions so they can fulfill their commitment to quality teaching, learning, research, and service to our communities and our nation.
“I urge you all to reciprocate the trust and confidence the government has placed in you by using your knowledge, skills, and experience to elevate the tertiary institutions to greater heights.”
The minister also highlighted the problems of low carrying capacity in universities and colleges of education and the fluctuating nature of academic calendars due to disagreements between academic staff and the federal government over the years.
Mamman encouraged schoolheads to view unions as partners, noting that the government is taking proactive measures by engaging in discussions with ASUU to avoid strikes in the system.
“We’ve had some meetings already. Yes, yesterday we spent some time discussing the issues and developed a very robust plan to address them.
“We hope that what we put in place yesterday will help us to avoid any form of strike.”
The minister said one of the major responsibilities of councils worldwide is to attract resources from friends, businesses associates and development agencies to improve teaching-learning experiences in tertiary institutions.
He, therefore, stated that by working as a team and following due process, the board and councils will be able to act effectively and avoid problems.
“Yes, councils have autonomy, but that autonomy is within the context of certain national legislation. For instance, financial regulations are nationwide and universal.
“There are certain things councils can do, certain things they will do and pass on. Even from the ministry, there are things you pass on to us, and we pass them further.
“Use your contacts and network for the benefit of the universities. Do not merely focus on your allowances and privileges. Explore creative ways to bring resources to the universities.”
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, congratulated the boards and governing councils for their nominations to serve in various capacities.
“I have no doubt that you will work diligently to justify the confidence placed in you by Mr. President. The education sector is critical to our national affairs.
“It is the foundation for all our development efforts, and Nigeria, with its rapidly growing youthful population, needs to prepare our young people to seize opportunities both domestically and internationally while helping to address our national challenges,” Echono said.
Earlier, the President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, called for the prudent use of TETFund funds to foster development.
Osodeke stated that the only thing sustaining higher education in Nigeria is TETFund, adding that the country’s educational system is in a critical state that requires transformation.
“My prayer is that this council will contribute to transforming our educational system. When we were at the university, we had people from other countries in the same hostel and classrooms, with lecturers from around the world. “
“Today, the situation is so dire that 90 per cent of the lecturers in a typical university are from the same state.
“I also want to emphasize that the only thing still keeping us afloat as a university system is TETFund, which is a product of our struggle.
“So, my advice is to use this money wisely for the benefit of future generations. Properly managed, TETFund resources can address many problems. However, currently, the funds are not being used effectively.
“Many campus projects from as far back as 2014 and 2015 remain incomplete. I appeal to the Minister and board members to assess how the funds have been used,” he said.