President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the federal government’s contemplation of reintroducing the Policy of University Full Autonomy to drive progress and minimize external constraints in academic institutions.
This decision aligns with the government’s belief that granting autonomy to universities enables them to evolve independently.
Speaking through the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, during the University of Benin’s 48th convocation ceremony, Tinubu expressed confidence in this proposed policy. He highlighted that university autonomy would transfer the onus of performance directly to individual institutions, fostering stability and certainty in their functioning.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by university staff regarding unpaid salaries due to an eight-month industrial action, Tinubu assured the audience of the government’s awareness. As a remedial step, he announced a four-month salary payment for all university workers to address this pressing issue while maintaining the “No Work, No Pay” policy.
READ ALSO: The Alternative Bank signs multi-sector development deal with Niger State
Moreover, Tinubu affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing university conditions. He pledged substantial investment in infrastructure, including lecture theaters, student hostels, administrative offices, and learning tools, facilitated through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). These measures aim to incentivize both staff and students to excel academically.
Tinubu reiterated the government’s dedication to education, promising sustainable policies and tangible resource allocation for the sector’s development beyond the current administration. He emphasized the multiple responsibilities of universities, including research, technological advancements, skill impartation, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
Engineer Abubakar Momoh, echoing President Tinubu’s sentiments, praised the University’s leadership, notably Chancellor Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse and Vice-Chancellor Professor Lilian Salami, for their contributions to the institution’s progress. He commended UNIBEN for its significant achievements and conveyed the President’s felicitations to the graduates, wishing them success in their future endeavors.
