The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has urged the federal government to relinquish its control over Nigerian universities and grant them full autonomy, in line with existing laws.
TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, made this call over the weekend at the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). He expressed concern over the government’s persistent interference in university administration, despite the Universities Autonomy Act №1 of 2007, which was designed to give universities control over their governance, finances, and operations.
Echono emphasized that the Act’s primary goal is to free universities from bureaucratic red tape, allowing governing councils to function independently. However, he pointed out that government intervention—through constitutional provisions and the dissolution of governing councils—has continued to stifle university administration.
Delivering his convocation lecture titled “University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” Echono stressed that autonomy would enable universities to manage their academic programs, staff welfare, and finances effectively. He clarified that granting universities independence does not absolve the federal government of its responsibility to provide funding, nor does it suggest privatization.
“The Universities Autonomy Act aims to ensure universities operate as independent legal entities, appoint key officers, control student admissions, determine staff conditions, and manage finances without undue government interference. However, in practice, this autonomy is still largely restricted,” Echono stated.
He further highlighted conflicts between university autonomy and the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, which mandates that all government institutions remit their revenues into a centralized account. According to Echono, resolving these contradictions is key to restoring genuine independence for universities.
Tinubu Pledges Continued University Funding
President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to funding tertiary education to ensure quality and accessibility. Represented by the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Adebayo Bamire, Tinubu assured Nigerians that his government recognizes the importance of higher education and is dedicated to supporting universities.
“The federal government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing quality education and adequate funding for universities. We are working tirelessly to enhance access and ensure that our institutions thrive,” he stated.
FUOYE Confers Honorary Degrees on Notable Nigerians
As part of the convocation ceremony, FUOYE honored four distinguished personalities with honorary degrees (Honoris Causa) for their outstanding contributions to society. The awardees include:
- Senator Kanu Agabi, SAN – Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
- Chief Adebayo Ojo, SAN – Former Attorney General of the Federation.
- Segun Alebiosu – Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria.
- Dr. Allen Onyema – Chairman, Air Peace Airline.
Speaking on behalf of the honorees, Senator Kanu Agabi expressed gratitude for the recognition and urged the federal government to create policies that encourage investment and national development rather than enacting restrictive regulations.
FUOYE Graduates Over 8,400 Students
During the ceremony, FUOYE celebrated the graduation of 8,444 students across various disciplines. The breakdown includes:
- 177 First-Class graduates
- 3,466 Second-Class Upper graduates
- 3,715 Second-Class Lower graduates
- 831 Third-Class graduates
- 2 Pass degrees
Additionally, the university awarded postgraduate degrees, comprising 38 Ph.Ds., 211 MSc/MBA degrees, and 4 Postgraduate Diplomas.
With the push for greater university autonomy gaining momentum, all eyes are now on the federal government to take decisive action in liberating Nigeria’s higher education sector from undue control.
