It’s Wrong To Insist Varsities’ Principal Officers Must Come From Host Communities — FG

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has said the idea that the Chief Executive or any Principal Officer of institutions should come from localities where they are cited has watered down the integrity of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Adamu, who stated this during the inauguration of the Governing Councils of the four Federal Universities of Agriculture, said the idea is alien and should not be allowed to becloud their decisions.

The councils are the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi (formerly University of Agriculture, Makurdi); and Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru.

The Minister said: “Your work is already cut out for you in line with the Federal Government’s belief in agriculture as the solution to a myriad of socio economic problems is anchored on the fact that a nation cannot assume her true status of nationhood if she cannot feed her people and this is one of the reasons for the establishment of the Federal Universities of Agriculture.”

He noted that the government’s vision and drive for advancement in agriculture depends largely on the success achieved in Research, Science and Technology by these Universities.

While noting that Governing Councils are established as the highest policy-making bodies in universities and other Tertiary Institutions, he said the members are expected to play their roles with skill and efficiency, provide the type of leadership that will stimulate rapid growth of the universities and make them more competitive and attractive.

“In doing these, you should ensure that the Universities’ Masterplans, Academic briefs and Strategic Plans are respected and their provisions strictly adhered to,” he said.