President Bola Tinubu has signaled the Federal Government’s consideration of reintroducing the Policy of University Full Autonomy as a measure to foster progress and reduce external hindrances.
The decision aligns with the government’s belief that granting autonomy to universities allows them to evolve independently.
During the University of Benin’s 48th convocation event over the weekend, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, expressed confidence in this proposed strategy.
He emphasized that university autonomy would shift the responsibility for performance directly to individual institutions, addressing the existing uncertainties.
In his address, the President acknowledged concerns among university staff about unpaid salaries and announced a four-month wage payment to alleviate the issue.
Furthermore, Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing university conditions by providing essential facilities such as lecture theatres, student hostels, administrative offices, and learning tools through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
These facilities aim to motivate both staff and students toward achieving success.
Tinubu assured, “As a responsible government, we would continue to dedicate tangible resources to education and to formulate sustainable policies that would outlive this administration.
“Our universities have the multiple responsibilities of helping to expand horizons through research and technological breakthroughs, impartation of relevant skills and by being more entrepreneurial in outlook.”