Varsity registrars ask FG to reconstitute governing councils

The Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) has called on the federal government to reconstitute the governing councils of universities in the country.

ARNU also asked the government to reconsider dissolving councils before the expiration of their tenures.

In 2023, the National Universities Commission (NUC) dissolved the governing councils of all federal universities following President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

This has stalled administrative decision-making and caused these institutions to seek federal approval before implementing initiatives previously sanctioned by the councils.

ARNU, in an 11-point communique issued by Ife Oluwole, its chairman, said the governing councils must be reconstituted to allow public universities function optimally.

Oluwole issued the communique at the end of the Second Registrars’ Workshop and 75th Business Meeting, which held from April 24 to 26 at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.

The conference was themed: ‘Sustainable Legal Framework as Panacea for Industrial Harmony in the Nigerian University System: Challenges and Remedies’.

Oluwole said federal universities have not been able to function optimally following the dissolution of their governing councils.

“ARNU calls on the federal government and other concerned government/proprietor to immediately reconstitute the councils,” he said.

The ARNU chairman said universities should partner with the government on organising regular retreats for principal officers, council members, and staff upon their appointments to various positions.

The association added that non-interference with the law establishing the universities goes a long way in ensuring harmony in the university system.

It called for an equitable reward system in health, welfare, retirement, and end-of-tenure packages that will take care of the registrars and other university stakeholders.

“ARNU appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling the problem of insecurity in Nigeria, therefore calls on the Federal Government to ensure security of lives and properties on our campus across the country,” the communique added.

The second workshop and 75th Business Meeting was hosted by NOUN in collaboration with ARNU.

93 registrars from universities across the country were in attendance.