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FG Inaugurates 21 Varsities’ Governing Councils
The Federal Government in Abuja, yesterday, inaugurated the governing councils of 21 federal universities across the country.
They are: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria, Bayero University, Kano, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Others are: Federal Universities of Technology, Owerri, Yola and Minna, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Universities of Abuja, Calabar, Ibadan, Jos, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt.
The rest are Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Universities of Nigeria, Nsukka, IIorin, Uyo and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, who inaugurated the councils, said it became imperative because of allegation of poor governance of universities and total disregard to due process.
Rufa’i said the councils were constituted according to the law establishing them.
“The councils so constituted shall have tenure of four years from the date of its inauguration provided the council is not found to be incompetent or corrupt.
According to her, any council can be dissolved by the Visitor at anytime.
“The powers of the council shall be exercised as in the law and statues of each university.
“Establishment circulars that are inconsistent with the law and statutes of the university shall not apply to the universities.
“Government constitutes the governing councils of these universities for good management, growth and development.
“The council will, therefore, be free in the discharge of its functions and exercise of its responsibilities accordingly,’’ she said.
She advised the councils to be in consultation with the management of the universities in order to be abreast with current laws, policies and white papers, circulars that would help them in taking decisions.
Rufa’i, however, said that the sector was beset with some challenges such as decline in academic standards, poor management of funds, inadequate human resource, physical infrastructure, and access to university education, among others.
“It is clear that the governing council cannot do it all alone, but you shall come up with ideas that will improve and generate more revenue outside government allocation,’’ she said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, commended the Federal Government for reconstituting the councils of the 21 universities.
Okojie said that any state university which did not have a governing council would soon be sanctioned.
“We do not want a situation where a governor will be running the state university from his house without following the rules and regulations establishing the university,’’ he said.
He called on the newly inaugurated councils to be accountable, and urged them to maintain good relationship with the universities management to collectively address the challenges in the Nigerian university system.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Education, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, said the challenges of funding and indiscipline remained the major problems of the university system
He called on the councils to help in mobilising resources to supplement the budgetary allocation of the government.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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