The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr Sonny Echono, has called on policymakers to establish and strictly enforce transparent guidelines for selecting leaders of federal universities in Nigeria. He emphasized that such guidelines should clearly define appointment procedures, qualification requirements, and frameworks for involving relevant stakeholders in the selection process.
Call for Reform at University of Abuja Lecture
Dr Echono made this appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the University of Abuja's public lecture series on Research Findings. The event, organized by the Abuja Leadership and Governance Centre, attracted academics, policymakers, university administrators, researchers, students, and other education sector stakeholders. They gathered to discuss leadership, governance, and institutional development in Nigeria's higher education system.
The guest lecturer stressed that policymakers must ensure these guidelines are publicly accessible, enabling all stakeholders to understand the selection criteria and process. He delivered a lecture titled "Leadership Selection Process and Governance of Federal Universities in Nigeria (1993–2024)," highlighting the need for reforms to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in appointing university leaders.
Inclusive Search Committees Recommended
Dr Echono urged university administrations to establish inclusive search committees for leadership positions, comprising representatives from faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners. He argued that broader stakeholder representation would encourage diverse perspectives and enhance the legitimacy of the selection process.
He also recommended conducting regular surveys and stakeholder forums to gather opinions on the qualities and competencies expected of university leaders. Such feedback, he noted, would help shape selection criteria and strengthen a culture of inclusivity.
Transparency and Advertisement of Vacancies
On transparency, Dr Echono advocated for the public advertisement of all leadership vacancies, with clear details of qualifications and application procedures, to ensure a wider pool of qualified candidates. He further urged governing councils to make appointment processes more transparent by clearly documenting and communicating the rationale behind leadership selections.
