Sack Of VCs, Governing Councils Affecting Varsities Devt, Says NAAT

ABUJA – The National Association of Ac­ademic Technologists (NAAT) has criticised the Federal Gov­ernment for constant dissolution of university governing councils and removal of vice chancellors, lamenting that the situation has become counterproductive to smooth running of tertiary in­stitutions.

NAAT’s President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, raised the con­cern at an emergency meeting of the National Executive Commit­tee which held in Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja).

Nwokoma argued that as citadels of learning where the nation’s manpower and leaders are produced such arbitrary dissolution of governing boards without recourse to due process can hamper the good manage­ment, growth and development of universities.

“NAAT is deeply concerned over the trend of the rampant dissolution of duly appointed and inaugurated University Governing Councils, removal of Vice- Chancellors and the swapping of Pro-Chancellors by the Federal Government with­out recourse to the laid-down procedures as enshrined in the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003.

“We are not in support of incompetence, indiscipline and corruption by any public servant especially in the university sys­tem, but interested in observance of due process.

“The frequent dissolution of governing councils can hamper the good management, growth and development of universities. These includes the disbursement of funds to take care of personnel cost, overhead cost, capital cost, research & development and the balance in expenditure between academic vis-a-vis non-academic activities.

“The attendant consequenc­es of the above cascades down to smooth running of laboratories, workshops and studios as well as the general welfare of academic technologists especially as it re­lates to promotions and training. These can dampen

the morale of academic tech­nologists that would have nega­tive effects on their capacity to discharge their duties effectively in teaching and research.

“Hence, the quality of grad­uates produced under such con­ditions may be compromised. NAAT as a critical stakeholder in tertiary education system cannot seat back and pay lip service to these anomalies and its attendant implications on the education system.

“NAAT, therefore, advises the Federal Government to always ensure the appointment of credi­ble and competent Nigerians into governing councils of Nigerian tertiary institutions and shall be free to discharge its functions and exercise of its responsibilities, as this will allow for the appoint­ment of vice-chancellors and other principal officers through a credible and transparent pro­cess,” Nwokoma said in the communique released after the meeting.