The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticized the Federal Government’s decision to dissolve the Governing Councils of all federal universities across the nation.
The union argued that the action was harmful and a significant setback for the expansion and advancement of higher education in Nigeria.
This was said by Dr. Chris Yilwan, the union’s chairman at the University of Jos, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Jos.
According to NAN, the National Universities Commission (NUC) announced on June 22 the dissolution of the governing councils of all federal universities as well as the boards of other organizations and parastatals across the nation.
Yilgwan, who denounced the action, insisted that if this trend were to continue, it would destroy the university system.
The dissolution, in Yilgwan’s opinion, violated the Act creating federal universities and would halt the development of the institutions.
“The National Universities Commission’s recent decision to dissolve the governing councils of federal universities is inconsistent with the Miscellaneous Act of 2003, as amended.
“The Act established a statutory tenure for university governing councils, so they cannot be dissolved at will like other boards.
Every major decision in the university is put on hold once the governing council is dissolved without a replacement in place right away.
We therefore view the dissolution as being detrimental to the advancement of the university system, and we urge the federal government to reverse its decision, the official said.
He made an appeal to all levels of government to permit the universities to function in accordance with the law that established them.
