The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, has insisted that Registrars must continue to play pivotal role for the healthy growth of universities because they remain pillars and bastion of hope and stability in the system.
The NUC boss was speaking against the backdrop of the crises rocking some universities in Nigeria with vale reference to the discordant tune and irreconcilable differences he observed as the cause of the Nnamdi Azikwe University crisis.
In his message at the 19th Annual Retreat and 76th Business Meeting of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) hosted by Elizade University, Mr Maiyaki said with the help of Registrars, universities could be strengthened.
He urged Registrars to support the revolution in the University’s system being initiated by NUC, curriculum reforms, while they must also promote cooperation with Vice-Chancellors to strengthen university governance.
He said the world is changing rapidly, management paradigm has equally changed, noting that the administration of universities is not static globally, adding that Nigerian Universities must therefore demonstrate international character.
Speaking to the theme of the 2024 conference, “Navigating the Challenging Terrain of University Administration in Nigeria: Retrospection into the Past and Projection into the Future,” Lead Speaker, Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro identified inadequate funding, spiraling operational costs, and governance inefficiencies as challenges that must be jointly tackled.
Bamiro, who is former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and currently Pro-Chancellor of Elizade University called for data-driven decision-making, strategic leadership, and collaborative funding involving government, parents, and society to reinvigorate the Nigerian university system.
Another Speaker, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, also a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, whose paper dwells on “Mitigating Leadership Crisis in the Nigerian University System,” fingered economic pressures, leadership deficits and brain drain otherwise known as the japa syndrome as centrifugal forces that must be frontally tackled.
He proposed the diversification of funding models, alignment of university curricula with global employability standards, and fostering leadership that prioritizes institutional vision and policy alignment.
Dr Ayorinde Ogunruku, former Registrar of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who likened the registry to a university’s heartbeat, asked Registrars to be upbeat as the university is a Paradigm shift-constant which will consistently task their intellect and experience as well as the framework of regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and strategic direction.
In his paper Bridging the Gap between the Nigerian University System and National Politics, the Pro-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko Dr. Tunji Abayomi stressed the need for policy direction by the Nigerian government towards establishing a functional and practical linkage between University and Industry such that inventions and Creative ideas don’t continue to rot away on the shelves of the nation’s universities.
The National Chairman of ARNU, Mr Ife Oluwole thanked Elizade University for providing a conducive environment to host the Retreat which has given them the opportunity to hone their skills.
Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Kayode Ijadunola said Registrars as pillars of the University system should continue to professionalize for the system to function effectively.
The host Registrar, Mr Omololu Adegbenro of Elizade University, said ARNU is a strategic midwife in the transformation of humanity and will continue to champion critical values that enhance university administration in Nigeria.
He said the theme of the retreat compels a reflection on the journey so far, identify challenges and forge sustainable pathways for the future of higher education administration in Nigeria.
The retreat concluded with the election of new ARNU executives: Dr Bala Ahmed II of Nasarawa State University emerged as National Chairman; Dr Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie of Federal University Lokoja, Vice-Chairman; Mr Omololu Adegbenro of Elizade University,Ilara-Mokin, Treasurer; Revrend Daniel Igwillo of Tansia University, General Secretary; Dr (Mrs) Celine Ngozi Nnebedum of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Welfare Officer; Mrs Oguntunde Atinuke Abosede of Osun State University, PRO; and Mr Isyaku Adamu of North West University, Kano as Assistant General Secretary.
Elizade University’s hosting of the retreat reaffirmed its commitment to advancing dialogue and innovation in Nigeria’s higher education sector, providing participants with actionable insights to address the evolving challenges of university administration.
Williams Olufunmi
Head, Public Relations
Elizade University.
Study @ Achievers University
