The National Universities Commission (NUC) has voiced worry about the obvious and qualitative reduction in the delivery of Ceremonies and Special Lectures, which are the hallmarks of university and tertiary education.
This was reported by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr Chris Maiyaki, on Thursday in Abuja during a retreat organised by the commission for governing council members.
He noted that unique ceremonial occasions such as the Matriculation, Convocation, and the Lectures that traditionally precede them, as well as Inaugural Lectures, University Lectures, Distinguished Lectures, Faculty Lectures, and Valedictory Lectures, have not only declined in quality but also lost the aura for which they were once known and cherished because of the adoption of unsavoury local mismatches.
To this purpose, he stated that the Commission has decided to collaborate with relevant parties to develop minimum rules for the conduct of university ceremonies.
He remarked that there is an urgent need to establish a legacy of good governance values, principles, standards, and best practices in higher education institutions.
Maiyaki urged university administrators to display exemplary leadership and stewardship in the expansion of their institutions.
He stated that members play a critical role in ensuring that the reputational capital of the nation’s universities is protected, and that they must provide all required assurance to stakeholders, underlining that the university system places a high value on quality.
“It is with this goal in mind that the National Universities Commission, NUC, has organised this retreat, aimed at providing insights into the various instruments as well as relevant legal and regulatory requirements that define the functions of Governing Councils.
”We hope that the retreat will help you to understand the cross-cutting issues that are required to ensure that our Universities are positioned for greater effectiveness”.