Governors have hijacked appointment of VCs in federal varsities, says education minister

Adamu Adamu, minister of education, has accused some state governors of hijacking the process of appointing vice-chancellors for federal universities due to apathy in the selection processes.

According to NAN, Adamu spoke on Thursday while inaugurating the chairmen and governing councils of 19 federal universities as well as four inter-university centres in Abuja.

At the event, he also unveiled the new pro-chancellor and chairman of council, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, in Benue.

The minister said such vested interest is responsible for the unimaginable crises in the selection processes of the VCs in federal varsities across the country.

Adamu enjoined the governing councils to take charge and exercise their rights, adding that they must not allow outside influence in the selection process of the new vice-chancellors of their institutions.

He said under his watch, the federal ministry of education had not in any way interfered with the selection of any VC.

“I have not talked to any chairman that I have any candidate. Unfortunately, I found out that because of my lack of interest, or because I feel I should allow you (the council) to exercise your right, it is being hijacked by the governors,” he said.

“It is your right; don’t sell it to them. The law stipulates that and we are giving you full independence, don’t sell it to them.

“It is, therefore, essential that you familiarise yourselves with the specific laws establishing your university or centre, as well as with other relevant laws of the Federation.

“You should, in particular, be guided by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1993 and its various amendments (of 2003 and 2012).”

He also urged them to strictly adhere to section 2AAA of the 2003 amendment act.

“The Act stipulates that: “The Governing Council of a university shall be free in the discharge of its functions and exercise of its responsibilities for the good management, growth and development of the university,” he added.

“Section 3 (4) of the same 2003 Amendment reposes on Council the power to appoint the vice-chancellor of the university.

“I urge you to exercise this power with utmost sense of responsibility and in the best interest of your universities.”

Adamu said the reconstitution of the governing councils of the federal universities was coming at the appropriate time, following the constitution of visitation panels to the universities.

He disclosed that the panels had rounded off their assignments and would soon submit their reports.

The minister said as soon as the reports are received, the government would study them to enable the councils address the lapses and weaknesses identified by the panels.

Adamu, however, warned the council members that the president and visitor to the federal universities would not hesitate to dismiss any council found to be corrupt or incompetent.