The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has expressed concern over the exit of teaching and non-teaching members of staff from the nation’s university system.
The chairman of the committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) raised the concern in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday after the committee’s oversight visit to some universities in the South-East.
According to him, it is dangerous to have lecturers exit the system by way of retirement or death without any effort to fill the gap.
He said that the authorities of the University of Nigeria Nsukka confirmed that no fewer than 3000 teaching and non teaching members of the staff had left service since 2019.
The lawmaker said they left either by retirement, death or resignation, adding that they were yet to be replaced.
“The 10th House of Representatives is determined to improve on the standard of education in the country hence the oversight visit to ascertain the true condition of the universities.
“I think it is not normal to see lecturers and even members of non-academic staff leaving the university system by retirement, death or whichever way without replacement.
“It is not also healthy for the university system to have about 3000 leaving the system and only have permission to recruit just about 500 people.
“It is my humble appeal to the governing councils of the universities, Ministry of Education and other relevant government bodies to ensure our university system is working smoothly by ensuring there is no undue vacancies,” Fulata said.
Fulata urged the management of universities in the country to ensure compliance with federal character principles in appointment and recruitment of staff.
He said during the tour committee observed low compliance rate, urging both the old and new universities to correct the anomalies.
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