The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, has held a two-day maiden strategic retreat for members of its Governing Council and principal officers, aimed at strengthening institutional governance, accountability and effective administration of the young university.
The retreat, held from Monday, September 21 to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Hawthorn Suites, Abuja, was themed “The Governing Council of State-Owned Universities: Whither?”
Declaring the retreat open, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, CUSTECH, Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi, NNOM, said the retreat was designed to equip members of the pioneer Governing Council with the requisite knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities and complexities of university governance.
He noted that as a young and rapidly developing institution, CUSTECH required a Governing Council that was adequately prepared to provide strategic direction and effective oversight for the university’s growth and development.
The retreat featured presentations by distinguished scholars and professionals on critical issues relating to university governance, quality assurance, accountability and stakeholder relations.
The first resource person, Emeritus Professor Atubokiki Ajienka, former 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, delivered a paper titled “The Role of Governing Council in the Effective Governance of Universities.”
The second speaker, Emeritus Professor Funmi Bickersteth, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, delivered a virtual presentation on “Essential Elements for Harmonious Working Relationships Between Council and Various Stakeholders.”
Also speaking at the retreat, Mrs Efe F. Ehioghae, representing the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), presented a paper on “NUC Regulatory Framework and Quality Assurance in University Administration.”
On the second day of the retreat, members of the Governing Council received two additional lectures focused on funding, oversight, transparency and accountability in the university system.
The North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Kor Leticia Kpenbeen, presented a paper titled “Quo Vadis: TETFund Interventions and Council Oversight.”
The second presentation was delivered by Mr. Demola Bakare, FSI, Director, Education Department, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), who spoke on “Promoting Transparency, Accountability and Ethical Governance in the University System.”
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, FNSE, commended the resource persons for their insightful and enlightening presentations, noting that the retreat had further broadened the understanding of Council members on the roles, responsibilities and working relationships required for effective governance of state-owned universities.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kogi State and Visitor to CUSTECH, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his continued support for the development of the university.
Prof. Salawu also led members of the retreat in observing a minute’s silence in honour of the late former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who died recently.
Speaking during the retreat, members of the Governing Council commended the university management for organising the capacity-building programme, describing the quality of the resource persons and the breadth of issues discussed as valuable to the effective discharge of the Council’s responsibilities.
The Secretary to Council and Registrar of the University, Mrs Glory Ojochogu Yakubu, expressed appreciation to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, as well as all members of the Governing Council, for their commitment towards the successful hosting of the maiden retreat.
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