Senate Probes Varsity Governing Councils, Seeks NUC Reform
*Moves to check alleged illegal management structures in public, private institutions *Backs research fund with 20% of Nigerian Content Fund *Warns FG over Aiyetoro’s destruction by ocean surges Sunday Aborisade
The Senate convened an ad hoc committee to probe the governance structures of public and private universities across Nigeria, following allegations of non-compliant management practices that were inconsistent with established academic regulations. This move was made by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) who raised concerns over some universities adopting corporate-style management, including the presence of executive directors who wield considerable power to appoint and dismiss university leaders at will.
This practice was claimed to have undermined traditional university governance standards and weakened the capacity of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to enforce compliance.
The deliberations on this issue arose during the consideration of the National Universities Commission Act, 2026, a bill sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. Bamidele's proposal seeks to bolster the regulatory authority of the NUC over the establishment, administration, and management of universities. Several key aspects of the bill have been proposed, which include modernizing the legal framework for university regulation, enhancing accreditation and enforcement mechanisms, improving institutional governance, and updating the composition and functions of the NUC governing board.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, stating that the review needed to occur before the new legislation comes into force to prevent the undermining of academic standards in Nigeria. He also expressed concern over the potential erosion of public trust in Nigerian academic qualifications and the credibility of degrees issued by the institutions.
To address the funding and innovation challenges in research and development, the Senate passed another bill for a second reading that aims to establish a National Research and Innovation Development Fund. This fund will receive a proposed allocation of 20 percent of the Nigerian Content Development Fund annually, in addition to government appropriations, grants, donations, investment income, and proceeds from patents and commercialization.
The bill aims to ensure that research produces practical, commercially viable solutions that impact the lives of Nigerians, and to bridge the funding and coordination gaps in research activities across universities and other academic institutions.
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