The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, has given approval for the implementation of a new policy to guide the eligibility criteria for the appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts.
This was in response to the recent crises surrounding the appointment of heads in various public universities and tertiary institutions across the country.
The policy, announced by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, on Thursday, comes after concerns were raised about a pattern of unfair advantage.
The ministry highlighted that officers holding acting positions often use their status to influence the outcomes of appointments, undermining the fairness and transparency of the process.
“The policy aims to eliminate this practice, ensure equal opportunity for all qualified candidates, and enhance the governance of our institutions,” the statement said.
Under the new directive, any officer currently serving in an acting capacity as Vice Chancellor, Rector, or Provost will no longer be eligible to apply for the substantive position while still holding the acting role.
However, the policy provides a provision for such officers to step down from their acting positions before their non-renewable six-month tenure expires, allowing them to become eligible for the substantive appointment.
“This policy is intended to complement the existing Federal Ministry of Education Guidelines for the Appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts (2013) as well as other relevant regulations governing appointments in federal tertiary institutions,” the announcement stated.
Governing Councils, institutional Managements, and other stakeholders are urged to strictly adhere to the new policy.
The Ministry further provided clarity by including the policy document as Annex I and the 2013 Guidelines as Annex II for easy reference.
The Ministry expressed its appreciation for the continued dedication and cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring good governance and maintaining the integrity of leadership appointments in the education sector.
The statement noted, “We are confident that this policy will foster the desired reforms and bolster public trust in the leadership selection process within our institutions.”
Recent controversies involving institutions such as the University of Abuja, Admiralty University, and Nnamdi Azikwe University had sparked public outcry over the process of appointing new institutional heads.
