The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Councils of Tertiary Institutions to ensure the smooth running of Nigerian Universities Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the next four years.

Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who inaugurated the Chairmen and members of the councils in Abuja, on Thursday, congratulated them and warned them against undue interference in the human, financial and resource management of the institutions.

He said, “There is a clear line of operations between the Management and respective Governing Councils of the tertiary Institutions, Councils are not to interfere with the day-to-day management of human, financial, and material resources of the Institutions.”

Prof Mamman also urged them to implement ideas that will increase the internally generated revenue of the institutions.

“You are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the sector, and ensuring the overall performance of these Institutions to achieve the national goals and expectations of tertiary institutions.”

“Governing Councils should encourage responsible unionism in their respective Institutions while arresting the problems of cultism and drug abuse by students. Effective strategies should be put in place by Councils for early detection and eradication of social wees such as sexual harassment, theft, extortion and inducement,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, advised them to adhere to the laws and regulations that establish and govern the tertiary institutions.

He said, “Compliance with these legal frameworks ensures that our institutions operate with integrity and accountability. It also helps to safeguard the autonomy of our academic institutions while promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.”

Speaking on behalf of the Governing Councils, the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Chief Wole Olanipekun, said the relationship between the Management of the universities and Councils should not be toxic.

He urged them to be cautious in their dealings with members of the universities while he encouraged Vice Chancellors to allow the councils to improve the institutions, saying, “We are to build and not to pull down.”

Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Chris Maiyaki, congratulated the councils and said their doors and windows were open and they would give them 100 percent support to improve the university system.