In reaction to the two-week ultimatum given to the Federal Government by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigerian government has announced its plan to build up the governing councils of universities nationwide.
This news was contained in a statement issued by the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the NUC Secretary, the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, had put in place, a panel to work on the list, adding that the councils would be established once the list was consummated.
Maiyaki had also appealed for patience, in response to ASUU’s demands, stating that while the urgency of their concerns were understandable, the complexities involved in such a comprehensive governmental process should be highlighted as well.
The NUC boss had also spoken on the urgent need for more higher education institutions in Nigeria to be built, citing that the existing 272 universities were grossly insufficient to meet the ever growing demand for premium education.
Maiyaki had also further detailed the various initiatives by the NUC geared towards enhancing the university system in Nigeria.
The initiative includes a significant overhaul of the university curricula, transitioning from the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards to the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
Additionally, the NUC established guidelines to promoted the quality and regulation of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) within the Nigerian university system with the aim to consolidate e-learning with traditional teaching methods to ensure that educational delivery is modern and effective.
Why It Matters
While the Federal Government’s announcement to strengthen university governing councils may appear as a proactive response to ASUU’s strike threat, the government’s true motives are questionable.
Some critics might argue that this move could be seen as a reactionary measure aimed at appeasing ASUU and preventing a potential strike, rather than addressing the underlying issues comprehensively.
Additionally, there may be concerns about the government’s sincerity in executing these plans effectively and in a timely manner, given past instances of delays and bureaucratic inefficiencies in similar initiatives.
Furthermore, there are unanswered questions about whether the focus on governance structures adequately addresses the broader issues raised by ASUU, such as funding, infrastructure, and welfare concerns for university staff.
Bottom Line
While the government’s announcement may be viewed as a step in the right direction, there are lingering doubts about the sincerity of its commitment and the extent to which it addresses the fundamental challenges facing the higher education sector in Nigeria.
