By Cross Udo, Abuja
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has asked the Federal Government to reinstate the dissolved Governing Councils of federal universities.
This came as NAAT frowned on the about 200 per cent increase in tuition fees in the federal Universities’, saying that it could lead to a massive drop in students.
The association said in a statement signed by its President, Ibeji Nwokoma at its 52nd National Executive Council meeting in Kano State, said the dissolution of the governing boards of universities was a setback for the growth and development of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education.
The union argued that the dissolution would cripple the activities of the country’s tertiary institutions, especially in the areas of promotion, motivation, welfare, contracts, and project documentation as well as laboratory facilities for practical and research.
The government, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, last month dissolved the Boards of most government agencies.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, during the policy meeting organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on June 24, said the government was considering reinstating the sacked chairmen of the governing Councils of federal universities.
The union said, “NAAT is of the view that the action contravened the Act that established federal institutions and does not conform to the Miscellaneous Act of 2003 as amended which provides a statutory tenure of Governing Council of tertiary institutions and so cannot be dissolved at will like other Boards.
“Therefore, we urge the government to reinstate them immediately so as not to create a vacuum in the management of Nigerian tertiary institutions.”
It welcomed the student loans scheme signed into law by President Bola Tinubu as it urged the government to consider giving grants, especially for indigent ones as a viable alternative to students’ loans.
According to the statement, “While the idea behind the Student Loan to pursue their Education is not a bad one. But we are concerned that the conditions attached to assessing the loan are too stringent such that it may be impossible for a student to access it.
“Therefore, we call for an urgent review of the conditions to make it accessible to the concerned students.
“Rather than loan, NAAT is strongly of the opinion that the government should also consider giving grants, especially for indigent ones as a viable alternative to students’ loans,” the association said.
*Opposes 200 per cent increment in tuition
On the recent increment in tuition charges in tertiary institutions, the association said: “NAAT is worried and concerned too with the recent development regarding the increase in fees in our Federal Institutions, particularly Universities. This development may compel many of our students to drop out of school, occasioned by the current economic hardship facing parents and lack of adequate resources to meet up with economic demands.
“We are aware that over 200 per cent increase in fees is now being imposed by Universities authorities. NAAT, therefore, appeals to the government to consider the plight of the poor and rescind the decision by returning to the status quo until the loan issue is properly addressed.”
