Minister Tasks Governing Councils On Effective Implementation Of Reforms

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has asked governing councils of tertiary institutions with strengthening oversight and accountability to ensure that the federal government education reforms translate into tangible improvements in the sector.

Alausa, who spoke yesterday through a representative at the national conference of the Forum of Governing Council Members in Nigeria (FOGOCOM) and the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) themed “Empowering Tertiary Institutions for National Transformation: The Governing Council Role in Realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda,” in Abuja, said the governing councils had a critical role to play in improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of tertiary education.

He said the government was investing in access, skills development, and the quality of tertiary education through initiatives including the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions, and the expansion of technical and vocational education.

The minister urged governing councils to strengthen institutional oversight, promote accountability and ensure financial sustainability, stressing that public resources must deliver measurable benefits.

“Public resources entrusted to an institution must produce public value,” he said.

Alausa also called for greater use of data and technology in institutional decision-making, particularly in enrolment, staffing, infrastructure development and student outcomes.

Also speaking, former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, described Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity as an asset that could contribute significantly to national development if properly harnessed.

Ganduje said the country’s diversity should not be viewed as a source of division but as an opportunity to promote national integration, unity and development.

“Nigeria is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-tribal country, and this is an advantage to us, not a disadvantage. It is a great advantage,” he said.

He said the country’s different ethnic nationalities possessed inherent values that, if properly harnessed, could contribute to national development.

The former governor commended the organisers for bringing together governing council members from the six geopolitical zones, saying the composition demonstrated that Nigerians could work together despite their differences.

Ganduje also called for greater participation of women in governance, saying their involvement was important to promoting inclusiveness.

Also speaking, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, urged participants to communicate the government’s education initiatives to Nigerians.

Faleke said the student loan scheme had created opportunities for students from less-privileged backgrounds to pursue higher education, while technical students were also benefiting from allowances.

“For the first time, technical students are receiving allowances in Nigeria. This is a major achievement,” he said.

He urged participants to support the government’s education initiatives and help ensure that their benefits reached Nigerians across different communities.

Earlier, the National Chairman of FOGOCOM, Chief (Dr.) Akin-Thomas Babajide said governing councils had a responsibility to ensure that government policies translated into meaningful improvements in tertiary institutions.

He said councils must provide effective oversight, promote prudent management, support quality education and contribute to the long-term sustainability of their institutions.

Babajide said the conference provided an opportunity for members to examine ways to improve research, innovation, infrastructure, and skills development in tertiary institutions.

The conference brought together governing council members and other stakeholders in the education sector.