The Senior Workers Affiliation of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed issues over appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in Nigerian universities, saying the federal authorities has lowered the method to a mere ‘constituency undertaking’ slightly than merit-based choice.
SSANU additionally faulted poor funding of universities and inter-university centres, warning that establishments meant to be citadels of studying now resemble native authorities secretariats as a result of neglect.
Talking at its Nationwide Government Council (NEC) assembly held on the Federal College, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, the Nationwide President, Mohammed Ibrahim, stated the federal government should present dedication to increased schooling. Ibrahim lamented the extreme funding shortfall plaguing Nigerian universities, stating that even personnel prices are inadequately coated.
“Now we have stated it earlier than, and we are going to repeat it: the federal government isn’t critical about schooling in Nigeria, particularly college schooling. Funding is at its lowest ebb; beforehand, the problem was primarily capital funding, however now, even personnel prices should not adequately funded.How can universities operate with out ample monetary help? Instructing, analysis, and group service are the core mandates of any college, but none of those could be successfully carried out with out correct funding,” he lamented.
Ibrahim famous that Nigerian universities ought to appeal to high students and employees from world wide, including that a perfect establishment needs to be various, with school and employees from varied nationwide and worldwide backgrounds.
Ibrahim faulted the politicisation of vice chancellor’s appointment, arguing that the choice course of has turn out to be localised to the purpose the place universities at the moment are pressured to nominate VCs from their host communities slightly than essentially the most certified candidates.
“That is an absurd improvement and a big setback for worldwide tutorial requirements,” he said. To make sure competitiveness, he said that vacancies needs to be opened to each inner and exterior candidates.
“The recruitment of principal officers and different employees needs to be based mostly on advantage, not regional issues. The present development, the place these positions are handled like constituency initiatives, is unacceptable,” he added.
