Grant Nigerian Universities absolute autonomy — TETFUND tells FG

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has called on the federal government to abolish its existing policy on Nigerian universities and grant them complete autonomy.

The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono, made this appeal over the weekend during the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

Echono expressed concern over the government’s control of universities, despite the provisions of the Universities Autonomy Act №1 of 2007, which allows universities to govern themselves and manage their finances, among other responsibilities.

He emphasized that the primary goal of the Act is to free universities from the bureaucratic constraints of the civil service, enabling university governing councils to exercise their powers and perform their functions without undue external influence or interference.

The Executive Secretary pointed out that government interference, particularly through the constitution and the dissolution of governing councils, has impeded universities’ ability to establish independent appeal processes.

In his convocation lecture titled “University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” Echono explained that autonomy would empower universities to manage their academic curricula, staff welfare, and finances effectively.

Echono clarified that granting autonomy does not absolve the federal government of its responsibility to fund universities or imply the privatization of these institutions.

His words, “The existing government policy on autonomy for universities in Nigeria allows them to govern themselves, appoint key officers, determine staff conditions of service, control student admissions and academic curricula, manage their finances and generally operate as independent legal entities without undue interference from the federal government and its agencies.

“This policy is derived from the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, also known as the Universities Autonomy Act №1 of 2007.

The Act, enacted by the National Assembly and signed into law on July 10, 2003, was later gazetted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official

Gazette №10, Volume 94 on January 12, 2007, as Act №1 of 2000.

“The overall goal of the Act is to liberate our universities from the civil service bureaucracy and enable university governing councils to exercise their powers without undue external influence.

However, the government retains ultimate control over universities through constitutional provisions and the dissolution of governing councils. The President is the final arbiter in all appeal processes regarding federal institutions, and the government holds legislative power.

“Thus, it can be argued that autonomy under the Act is not absolute. For instance, despite the provisions for autonomy, Section 2AAA (2) mandates that a university council must ensure that the disbursement of university funds complies with the budgetary ratios approved by the government.

“While the Act is silent on the issue of internally generated revenue, it may imply that universities can freely disburse revenue generated from various sources without government interference. However, the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy requires all government agencies and institutions to pay their revenues into the TSA.

Resolving these inherent conflicts is crucial for restoring autonomy to our universities.

It is important to note that university autonomy should not be interpreted as absolving the government of its responsibility to fund universities, nor does it imply the abdication or privatization of these institutions. The desirability of university autonomy encompasses three aspects: academic, administrative, and financial autonomy.”

In his remarks, President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to funding universities to achieve quality and functional education.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Adebayo Bamire, emphasized the APC-led administration’s recognition of the importance of quality education and its efforts to ensure accessibility for all Nigerians.

“The federal government recognizes the importance of quality education. My administration is unwavering in its commitment to quality education and university funding. We are dedicated to supporting higher institutions to ensure their success,” he stated.

During the convocation ceremony, the university conferred honorary degrees (Honoris Causa) on four distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields.

They are Senator Kanu Agabi, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation; Chief Adebayo Ojo, SAN, former Attorney General and Minister of the Federation; Segun Alebiosu, Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria; and Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace Airline.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Senator Kanu Agabi expressed gratitude to the university for the honour and viewed it as a challenge to do more.

He used the opportunity to call on the federal government to review its policies to encourage investment in the country rather than enacting laws that deter development.

The university graduated a total of 8,444 students, comprised of 177 first-class, 3,466 second-class upper, 3,715 second-class lower, 831 third-class, and two pass degrees.

The Institution also convoked postgraduate students, which include 38 Ph.D., 211 MSc/MBA and 4 PGD.