Registrars Meet To Elevate Nigerian Universities’ Governance

In a concerted effort to enhance the administrative backbone of Nigerian Universities, Registrars across Nigerian Universities and other critical stakeholders have gathered with a shared mission to elevate governance standards within their esteemed institutions.

The workshop was organised by the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) in conjunction with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The second Registrar’s workshop and 75th business meeting was held under the theme; “Sustainable Legal Framework As Panacea For Industrial Harmony In The Nigerian Universities System: Challenges and Remedies.”

ARNU, which stands as a beacon of collaboration and excellence, bringing together Registrars from Federal, State, and Private Universities across Nigeria is an annual business meeting that serves for fostering professional development and addressing the evolving challenges of university governance in the 21st century.

At the closing of the event in Abuja yesterday, the vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters,
encouraged the participants to make use of the opportunity provided by NOUN to add knowledge.

The vice Chancellor, represented by the deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Isaac Butswat said Registrars are very important in every institution, in training, recruitment and others.
Mentioning their roles, he said it includes issuance of appointment letters, issuance of promotion letters, dismissal letters, admission letters, suspension letters and so on and so forth.

“You should therefore put the fear of God in whatever you do,” the vice Chancellor tasked the Registrars.
In his keynote address, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas, said the role of university registrars in ensuring industrial harmony in the University system can not be overemphasised.

According to him, Registrars are at the heart of academic integrity, saying that it is in their names that admission letters go out, among many other roles in the Universities
He said, “You must build the capacity of the young people under you.

“You must be prepared to be mentors. You have to mentor a younger generation to be University administrators.

“One of the major responsibilities of a leader is to have a credible succession plan. And therefore, you must mentor a younger generation.”

Also speaking, the Ag. Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaka commended the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN for accepting to host the laudable event which provided a platform for invaluable discussions and insight.

Maiyaka, who was represented by the director, executive secretary’s office, John Mairafi Ahmadu said
the theme is very apt as it resonates deeply with the current needs of our academic institutions.

“In a rapidly changing landscape, characterized by complex legal issues, the imperative for industrial harmony is key. In this regard, the roles of Registrars as gatekeepers, in shaping effective and sustainable governance structures cannot be overstated.

“By engaging in thoughtful dialogue and sharing best practices, ARNU will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing the professional competencies of Registrars as well as enhancing university administrative management practices.

“The National Universities Commission would continue to collaborate with you, as part of the efforts towards repositioning the Nigerian University System, for enhanced global competitiveness, as we navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” he said.