Tinubu Appoints Governing Boards for 111 Federal Tertiary Institutions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu names members of the 111 tertiary institutions' governing boards

The appointments of at least 555 individuals to the positions of Pro-chancellor/Chairman and members of the Governing Boards of 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have been authorized by President Bola Tinubu.

This came after Tinubu gave his approval to a list of candidates chosen by the Ministry of Education, which was sealed by Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

The selection of a chairperson and four members for every institution was displayed in an advertisement by the Ministry of Education.

“The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00am daily,” said Walson-Jack.

The Presidency said the list came from the Ministry of Education when asked for proof.

“This is from the Federal Ministry of Education...they make the nominations and forward them to the President to sign. But they are at liberty to release it from their end,” Bayo Onanuga, the president's special adviser on information and strategy, informed our correspondent on Saturday.

The appointments follow the Academic Staff Union of Universities' threat to go on strike just a few days earlier, which might have disrupted the academic schedule and further hurt the nation's higher education system.

The federal government's inability to name Governing Councils for federal colleges was criticized by the union on Tuesday.

The union also criticized the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for what it perceived to be a callous disregard for issues pertaining to academics at federal universities.

The academic community also criticized the university system's 25% pay increase for other academics and 35% compensation increase for professors during a briefing at the University of Abuja.