President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Mohammed K Santuraki as the pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
Dr. Santuraki is a seasoned tertiary education administrator, having served earlier in the same position at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), the Niger State University.
While in that position, he also served as the vice chairman of the committee of pro chancellors of state-owned universities in Nigeria.
Many stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector see Dr. Santuraki’s appointment as a “round peg in a round hole”.
According to a statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) on Friday, President Bola Tinubu approved the reconstitution of Governing Councils and boards of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to ensure the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Recall that earlier in May, President Tinubu directed a total and comprehensive review of the already announced governing boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.
The Federal Ministry of Education recently released the names of nominees for chairmen of councils, pro-chancellors and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. It also announced that the nominees’ inauguration and retreat would occur on May 31.
However, in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, the presidency said public reactions at the time showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country, as some states got just one nomination, while some others got many.
He directed a complete review of the list of members and noted that President Tinubu acknowledged the feedback across the country.
“President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution.
“The review will also consider national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented,” he stated.
