FG pledges payment for of Nigerian tertiary institution’s revitalisation

The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman has assured that payment for the revitalisation of the tertiary institutions in the country is underway.

The Minster stated this on Monday during an event to mark 60 years anniversary of Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) in Abuja.

Prof Mamman also disclosed that with regards to energy, steps have been taken to power the universities through gas powered facilities using the PPP window provided by the government.

“The scheme is intended to start with 18 universities in the first instance and the shortlisted universities will be contacted appropriate stage of the project. The centrality of the power to service delivery, research and cost savings cannot be over emphasized,” he said.

“The Government is fully aware of the challenges and needs of the institutions and will leave no stone unturned to attend to them: – infrastructure, welfare, safety and security, adequate funding self-governance and overall suitable environment for learning, teaching and research,” he said.

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke noted that the problem of godfatherism has entered the university system and that they are in big crisis.

“Unfortunately when the first and second generation of lecturers are retiring and leaving the country, the system is being dominated by third and fourth generation of lecturers,” he said.

“Today, before a vice chancellor can employ any lecturer he has to go and get permission from head of service and when he employs, he has to go to accountant general office to beg for people employed to be paid salary,” he said.

The Chairman of CVCNU, Prof Lilian Salami said the event serves as an avenue to discuss the gains, value they added to the system and their challenges.

“We are here to add value to the education system in Nigeria especially the tertiary education system in Nigeria. The gathering is not only to celebrate the 60 years anniversary or to receive or to be given but to reengineer the system so that we would have a better future and posterity will then judge us positively,” she said.