FG postpones inauguration of governing councils of federal tertiary institutions

The Federal Ministry of Education has stated that the inauguration and retreat for pro-chancellors, chairmen, and members of federal tertiary institution governing bodies, which was originally set for Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, 2024, would be postponed.

This was said in a statement that was made public on Sunday and was signed by Folasade Biriowo, the ministry’s director of press.

Biriowo stated that the postponement was to facilitate the thorough review of the list as requested by the Presidency.

“This is as a result of the presidential directive, as conveyed by the State House press release dated May 23, 2024, for a comprehensive review of the membership of the governing councils of federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“We regret any inconveniences this may cause.

“Further updates will be communicated in due course,” the statement by Biriowo read.

President Bola Tinubu, last week, mandated a comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards for Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. This directive precedes the planned inauguration and retreat for the nominees.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu Directs Comprehensive Review of Governing Boards of Tertiary Institutions.’

Onanuga highlighted that the nominations failed to reflect the federal character of the country, with discrepancies such as some states receiving only one nomination while others had multiple appointees.

Previously, Tinubu had sanctioned the appointment of 555 individuals to serve as Pro-Chancellors/Chairmen and members of the Governing Boards for 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, based on a list compiled by the Ministry of Education.

The directive for a review followed significant public backlash, including protests from the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.