FG plans full autonomy for varsities

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hinted that the Federal Government is thinking of reintroducing the policy of university full autonomy to foster progress and reduce external obstacles.

This decision is in line with the government’s conviction that university autonomy enables institutions to grow at their own rate.

Tinubu expressed optimism about the proposed strategy while speaking through the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, during the University of Benin’s 48th convocation event over the weekend.

“University autonomy will surely shift the responsibility of performance directly to the individual institutions rather than the current state of uncertainties,” he said.

In his speech, the president emphasised university employees’ worries about unpaid salaries.

He declared a four-month salary payment for all university employees to alleviate the problem.

Moreover, Tinubu pledged to maintain the government’s commitment to enhancing university conditions by providing essential facilities like lecture theatres, student hostels, administrative offices, and learning tools.

These facilities, established through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), are intended to motivate staff and students to achieve success.

Tinubu pledged, “As a responsible government, we would continue to allocate substantial resources to education and devise sustainable policies that would outlast this administration.

“Our universities have the multiple responsibilities of helping to broaden horizons through research and technological breakthroughs, imparting relevant skills, and being more entrepreneurial in outlook.