By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) on Tuesday said that the Federal Government, by the existing laws has no power to dissolve universities governing council, unless they are found incompetent or wanting.

This is as they have called on President Bola Tinubu to show a worthy example in conformity with the extant laws of the constitution, stating that the present situation where presidential powers are being used to usurp the powers of the university system should be urgently reversed. 

Recall that last year, President Bola Tinubu dissolved the governing councils in universities across the country.

Speaking to Journalist at a news conference in Abuja, the National president COCSON , Obiora Chidozie stated that the university system is currently left hanging without a head and has been subjected to political dictates.

According to him, the recruitment of staff within the universities is now subjected to the whims and caprices of powerful civil servants in Abuja.

He further explained that the dissolution has already become inimical and a major setback toward the growth and development of university education in Nigeria barely 7 months after, adding that the step taken by the President flagrantly opposed to the provisions of extant laws governing the administration of the universities.

Chidozie said that the university system is almost grounded as even promotions, matriculations, and convocations are not held as they should at this time of the year since the Pro-Chancellors and Councils are expected to approve the dates, including honorary doctorate and other awards, adding that at best, Vice Chancellors have to come before civil servants in Abuja for approval.

“The university system in virtually all countries of the world is considered one of the most valuable National Institutions. The Nigerian university system has been plagued with tremendous challenges. Across the world, universities are autonomous, they operate where ideas are not clobbered and restricted, but are made to flourish as a place where ideas are allowed to thrive without hindrance.  Likewise, led by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the fight has been that our universities must be environments in which teaching, and research, and our students can engage in vibrant exchanges of knowledge between lecturers, students and vice versa.

“Also, public universities in the country must be places where their management can operate under their various committees and achieve results without inviting the political class and elites to intervene.  That is why even those who exercise supervision such as Governing Councils all over the world are given free hand to run the system following broad laws and guidelines well established by the government and where necessary, inform the government of their actions.

“It noteworthy that the battle for university autonomy in Nigeria has been on for a long time in line with what obtains in most other countries, including our neighbouring Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, etc.

“We appreciate President Tinubu for his interest and commitment to improve universities, but in the light of this commitment, we believe that it is an error for the Governing Councils of federal universities to be dissolved without reference to the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003 which is also referred to as the Universities Autonomy Act No. 1, 2007. Section 3(2A) of the Amendment Act states as follows with respect to the tenure of Governing Councils: “The Council so constituted shall have a tenure of four years from the date of its inauguration provided that where a Council is found to be incompetent and corrupt it shall be dissolved by the Visitor and a new Council shall be immediately constituted for the effective functioning of the university.

“The dangers of dissolving governing councils in varsities comes handy with the raging brawl at the Federal University of Health Science Otukpo, where fear of implosion had gripped the institution after the Vice Chancellor had reportedly sacked his deputy over lack of cooperation. Such a development would not have happened if Council was in place.

“From what we observed the booming chaos is worsened because the Registrar is not fully acquainted with his duties as a university Registrar. Like the Vice Chancellor, he is inexperienced at the university level where he had not worked prior to his been smuggled into the University from National University Council (NUC) on the altar of nepotism.  Hence, all these happening should be of serious concern to President Tinubu.

He also explained that there’s been indiscriminate increment of tuition fees of different universities across the country at the expense of the ordinary Nigerian who according to him, are still suffering the excruciating pain occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy.

“There are other problems such as arbitrary increase in school fees on several universities and a lot of internal fightings in the Universities today.

“As well, protesters have blocked the Kaduna state road over spate of insecurity in the region.

The group further demanded that “a functioning university system is the only guarantee of our future.  If every president who assumes office can intervene and suspend or dissolve University Councils which are still functioning in line with the law, then the concerns of federal lawmakers and other well-meaning citizens are well founded.

He said Councils of Universities should be allowed to complete their tenures as enshrined in the law, and on completion, the government can reappoint or bring its own people.

” If we allow this to be a precedent, then it will take our university system to the past and once more take it away from the global best standards which have been achieved in the past few years.  If unchecked, a time will come when politicians and civil servants will take over the entire university system and begin to tell them what to teach, how to teach, and when to teach.

” Let those whose duties it is to supervise our universities, once appointed and assumed office, if nothing is found against them individually, be directed immediately to take charge of the universities and bring the system into normalcy for the period when their tenures are still in place.

“If the Renewed Hope slogan of this government will give Nigerians real hope, it must be founded on Rule of Law not rule of illegality.