In line with its well known stand on university autonomy, the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) has called for the setting up of “strong and independent University Governing Councils with the authority to make key decisions on university governance.”
COPSUN made the demand in a communique issued at the end of its 7th Biennial Conference held in Lagos between Monday, 8th and Friday, 12th July, 2024.
The Pro-Chancellors in the communique argued that “University Autonomy is not merely a goal but a necessity for the advancement of education and society in Nigeria, as this will empower our universities to become Centres of Excellence that drives national development and global competitiveness.”
They equally urged that “Universities must strengthen the Alumni associations for the development of the Universities.”
Read the full communique below:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 7TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE OF PRO-CHANCELLORS OF STATE-OWNED UNIVERSITIES AT PROVIDENCE HOTEL, GRA, IKEJA, LAGOS STATE, FROM MONDAY, 8TH TO FRIDAY, 12TH JULY 2024
1.0. PREAMBLE
1.1 The 7th Biennial Conference of The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN), was held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos with the theme “Effective University Governance: Role of Stakeholders”.
1.2 The conference served as a pivotal platform for discussing, brainstorming, and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria by providing solutions to challenges facing tertiary education in the country.
1.3 The Conference was declared open by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo – Olu who was represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Honorable Tolani Sule. In his address to the participants, the Governor averred that the nation faces a multitude of complex challenges threatening our collective tertiary education system existence which he believed were surmountable. He commended the Pro -Chancellors for coming up with the conference at a time that our universities require new ideas, policies and direction to compete favourably with their global counterparts.
The chairman of COPSUN, Senator Joshua Lidani in his welcome address explained that the theme of the conference encompassed many issues on governance in our university system including incessant strike action by labour unions operating in the universities, inadequate funding, as well as indiscriminate and premature dissolution of governing councils of universities. He attested that the conference alone will not be able to address the challenges but could raise the consciousness of all and sundry regarding the threat posed to governance.
In his opening remarks, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari CFR, former Chief of Staff to the President served as Chairman of the opening ceremony commended COPSUN for the good role the body is playing in the education sector.
Following series of presentations and exhaustive deliberations, the conference arrived at the following resolutions:
RESOLUTIONS
i. University Autonomy is not merely a goal but a necessity for the advancement of education and society in Nigeria, as this will empower our universities to become Centres of Excellence that drives national development and global competitiveness.
ii. Government should establish strong and independent University Governing Councils with the authority to make key decisions on university governance.
iii. Universities must strengthen the Alumni associations for the development of the Universities.
iv. Mutual interests between Town and Gown should be highly encouraged that such partnerships will further prepare the students for life outside the university.
v. To avoid conflicts universities must be administered the way it should be. Universities are global institutions for teaching and acquisition of knowledge and should therefore operate in line with international standards in terms of infrastructure, research, facilities and quality knowledge.
vi. Corrupt practices such as examination malpractices, forgery, cloning of certificates, impersonation, miracle examination centres, fake universities, etc should be maximally discouraged.
vii. Indiscriminate and abrupt dissolution of Governing Councils should be avoided.
viii. Incessant strike action by labour unions and the attendant consequences on stability, quality, and standards should be discouraged as much as possible.
ix. University managements are encouraged to use the available resources prudently to maximize their impact.
x. Exploring partnerships with private entities could help compliment funding and improve the overall financial standing of the universities.
xi. Universities should Promote research and innovation as this could attract external funding and grants.
xii. Governments are encouraged to annually review and increase budgetary allocations and consequent release of budgetary allocations to education.
xiii. Eliminating corruption can help prevent fund mismanagement of resources. Government should not relent on closely monitoring corruption as this would assist in maximizing the scarce resources available.
xiv. Governing Councils and University Managements are encouraged to create consultancy units cas this an serve as an alternative means of generating funds.
xv. Universities should design new and innovative courses capable of attracting international students.
xvi. Host communities, business tycoons, corporate bodies, and other benefactors should be encouraged to support universities through donation of funds and infrastructure.
xvii. Pro-Chancellors of State-owned universities should be involved in dispute resolutions and negotiations when trade disputes involving national bodies of labour union in the universities arise.
xviii. University Management should ensure that town hall meetings, participatory consultations, alternative dispute resolutions and due process are deployed to resolve conflicts with labour unions.
xix. University staff capacity strengthening should encouraged to enhance efficiency.
xx. University students should be involved in training on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for learning and problem solving.
Sgd
Prof. Ayodeji Omole
Chairman,
National Planning Committee