Senior Executive Course (SEC)

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Browsing Senior Executive Course (SEC) by Author "Adebayo, Babatunde Afen"

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    The Challenges of Qualitative Governance in the Nigerian Universities
    (National Institute Kuru, 2000-11-30) Adebayo, Babatunde Afen
    Nigerian Universities have been confronted with several crippling problems in the past two decades. There is the problem of inadequate remuneration, virtual collapse of infrastructure, under-funding and inefficient management. These have been compounded by the increasing wave of secret cultism, the confrontational and militant attitude of some staff Unions/Associations, and the tendency of some Vice-Chancellors to circumvent the Committee System of governance, thereby undermining the democratic process. All of these have contributed significantly to the decline in the quality of governance in the Universities. This study, therefore, examines the factors responsible for the decline in the quality of governance and their challenges to the maintenance of an environment conducive for normal academic activities in the University Campuses. The method of approach is mainly by personal interactions and interviews with present and past senior officers of some selected Universities. In addition, documentary materials in the form of minutes, letters, memoranda, reports, books and journals were utilised. Another source of information is from personal experience and observation. In the course of the study, it was observed that Nigerian Universities have made significant contribution to the national development effort, particularly in the area of supplying the much-needed high-level manpower for the nation's expanding economy. The attempt to meet the manpower needs of the nation has, however, not been without difficulties which include diminishing financial resources in the face of increased demand for University places, resulting in overstretched teaching, research and welfare facilities with consequential dilution of the quality of University education. Some Vice-Chancellors have become increasingly intolerant to the views and opinions of others. They lack the spirit of team work for effective management of their institutions. Running the Universities like a personal enterprise, they have contributed significantly to the decline in the quality of governance in the Universities. Secret cultism has posed a serious challenge to qualitative governance in the Universities by turning University Campuses to centres of violence and fear instead of centres of excellence. Closely tied to the phenomenon of secret cultism is the notorious issue of examination malpractices and irregularities as students who rely on malpractices to pass examinations have the tendency to spend their time in secret cults and other criminal activities. The study recommends amongst others, that the Committee System which has been highly commended for its effectiveness and well suited for the realisation of the corporate objectives of the Universities should be allowed to operate. In this regard, Vice-Chancellors must respect the democratic process of the Committee system and must not do anything to subvert it. Vice-Chancellors should adopt a new attitude to governance which should emphasise due process for the rule of law, openness, tolerance and the adoption of a culture of consultation and respect for the views and rights of others in the University governance. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been accused of interference in the day-to-day administration of Universities by gradually encroaching on the management right of Universities. The areas where the laws and functions of the NUC conflict with those of the Universities should be identified and removed. Universities should have an enhanced sectoral allocation in the annual budgets of the Federal and State Governments. Universities should also use legal methods to gradually increase self-generated funds in the form of establishing business ventures that must be profitable. In addition, Universities should examine the deregulation of fees, a system that would allow them to charge their students fees as well as the public for services rendered.