The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed its disagreement with the federal government’s decision to dissolve the governing councils of all federal universities in the country. The union believed that this decision was harmful and a significant setback for the advancement and development of university education in the country.
Dr. Chris Yilgwan, the Chairman of the ASUU chapter of University of Jos stated this in an interview with journalists in Jos over the weekend. He argued that the dissolution was against the provisions of the Act that established federal universities and would impede the progress of these institutions.
ASUU’s objection to the dissolution of the governing councils, according to Yilgwa, suggested that the union believed that these councils played a crucial role in the governance and management of universities. The union, he said was concerned that this decision could have negative implications for the autonomy and effective functioning of the universities.
”The recent dissolution of the governing councils of federal universities by government through the National Universities Commission (NUC) doesn’t not conform to the Miscellaneous Act of 2003 (as amended).
”The Act clearly stated the tenure of governing councils of universities and so they cannot be dissolved at will like other boards.
“It is the highest decision-making body of every university, and once it is dissolved without immediate replacement, it stalls every major decision in the university.
‘So, we consider the dissolution as an affront to the progress of the university system and call on the federal government to rescind its decision,’’ the ASUU boss said.
Yilgwan, who condemned the move, insisted that such trend, if allowed to continue, would cripple the university system.
He appealed to the government at all levels to allow the universities to operate in accordance with the law establishing them.
NUC had on June 22 announced the dissolution of governing councils of all federal universities and boards of other agencies and parastatals in the country.
