By Miracle Ogunde
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) has condemned federal government’s decision to dissolve the governing councils of all federal universities in the country.
According to the union, the move was uncalled for and a major setback toward the growth and development of the university education in Nigeria.
ASUU Chairman, University of Jos chapter, Dr Chris Yilgwan, who spoke against the move in an interview with journalists at the weekend in Jos, says the dissolution contravened the Act establishing federal universities, stressing that it would stagnate the progress of the institutions.
”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,’’ he called.
Yilgwan also insisted that such trend would cripple the university system, if allowed to continue,
He, therefore appealed to government at all levels to allow the universities to operate in accordance with the law establishing them.
The Nigeria Universities Commission, 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.
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