The Federal Government Tuesday inaugurated a 14-man Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities.
The committee headed by the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, was inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim in Abuja.
Earlier in the day, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Minna, called of its over five months strike embarked upon in July this year.
The Needs Assessment is one of the contentious issues that lingered the strike for that long. The demands by the Universities lecturers range from funding requirements for Revitalizing the University system; Progressive increase of budgetary allocation to the Education Sector; Transfer of FGN landed properties to the universities; amendment of retirement age of professors from 65-70 years; to the issue of earned allowances.
Speaking at the inauguration, Anyim, said the committee will ensure that the agreement reached with ASUU in relation to revitalizing the nation’s Universities is faithfully implemented.
Members of the committee are drawn from the offices of the SGF, Finance, NUC, TERTFUND, two representatives of Pro-chancellors and two representatives of Vice Chancellors, two representatives of ASUU, two representatives of SAANU, two representatives of NASU and two representatives of NANS. Former Executive Secretary of TERTFUND, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, will serve as Technical Consultant.
Speaking further, Anyim said the committee was strategic and timely, adding that it would ensure speedy and complete implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities.
He therefore, enjoined the committee members to be patriotic in the implementation of the various projects contained in the Needs Assessment Report.
The SGF however, warned the University Councils and Managements to ensure that the committee carries out its assignment without any hindrance. He also pleaded with the lecturers to be conscious of the time already wasted.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who chairs the committee, said the inauguration was in fulfillment of government’s pledge to look into the implementation of the needs the universities. “we will carry out the assignment diligently and effectively,” the Minister assured.
