Blessing A. ADURE, Reports for Abuja Bureau.
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), has commended the Renewed Hope Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in prioritizing Educational Development in the country and reformation of this critical Sector.
This was contained in the Text of the Council read during a recent Press Conference held in Abuja, on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024, where they x-rayed Development within the Nigerian University System, with special focus on the National University Commission (NUC).
While addressing the Press, Executive Director of NCSCN, Comr. Blessing A. Akinlosotu, said President Tinubu’s appointment of Prof. Tahir Mamman as Honourable Minister for Education and Dr Tanko Sununu as Honourable Minister of State (Education), was indicative of his urgency to refom the Sector as the Minister was described by NCSCN as one of the most excellent appointments made by the President, affirming Prof Mamman as square peg in square peg, with high capacity to deliver on mandate.
Also mentioned was the signing of the Student Loan Bill into law after just a few months in office, as well as the removal of the Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), a monumental achievements which goes a long way to underscore the high premium his Government places on Tertiary Education.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has asserted his commitment to educational development by appointing an astute Academician and renowned Administrator, Prof. Tahir Mamman as Honourable Minister of Education, to kick-start his educational policy implementation.
Equally the removal of Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which enhances corporate governance of the universities and removes unnecessary bottle necks in implementations of programmes and projects by the Institutions. This single action also underscores Mr. President’s compliance of the subsisting court order in that regard and respecting the yearnings of university based unions.” the Executive Director posited
The group further commended the President and the Honourable Minister of Education for approving the policy framework for Transnational Education, which aims at facilitating collaborations and partnerships between tertiary institutions in Nigeria and other universities globally. They equally urged the Minister and Management of the Ministry of Education, to sustain the drive in moving the university system to more enviable heights.
The Civil Society Council went on to highly commend Mr Chris Maiyaki the Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) for his impressive performances and commitment in repositioning the Commission toward optimal productivity and focus towards ridding Nigeria of substandard academic delivery.
Amb. Akinlosotun equally said Nigerian Universities ratings have begun to witness steady ascension internationally, due to the pragmatic regulations by the leadership and management of the NUC, adding that, the implementation of the newly redeveloped Core Curriculum Minimum Academics Standards (CCMAS), which offers the Universities the opportunity to develop 30 per cent contents of its Curriculum, is a major milestone in attainment of functional and qualitative education in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, implementation of the newly redeveloped Core Curriculum Minimum Academics Standards (CCMAS), which offers the Universities the opportunity to develop 30 per cent contents of its Curriculum while 70 per cent is provided by the NUC is a major milestone in attainment of functional and qualitative education in Nigeria. This is expected to impact positively on Nigerian Universities as it would assist in producing highly skilled, fit-for-purpose graduates, in line with current realities of our country.” the Text read.
The Civil Society Community also thanked Mr Chris Maiyaki for improving the welfare of the Staff of the Nigerian University Commission and for also enhancing the working relationship between the Management of the Commission and Vice Chancellors of the Universities, urging the Management of the NUC to consolidate on the gains made in order to sustain the stability and progress in the University sub-sector.
Reacting to a question fielded by the correspondent from Radio Nigeria at the Conference on the bottlenecks delaying the takeoff of the Student Loan Scheme as, the Executive Director promised they would interface with the Honourable Minister of Education very soon and report back in subsequent Conference.