Egbewole wants employment embargo in varsities lifted 

Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intercede on behalf of universities in the country with the Federal Government on the challenge of manpower shortage in the academia since the past five years.

Prof. Egbewole made the appeal last Wednesday (July 19, 2023) when he visited the Ag. Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr Chris Maiyaki in his office in Abuja.

The Vice Chancellor said that the embargo on recruitments in federal universities across the nation has greatly afflicted and affected productivity in the universities over the years. He, therefore, called on the NUC, as the intermediary between universities and the Federal Government to help look into the possibilities of replacement of the retired or late personnel as well as those who have quit the university system for other endeavours in order to improve on the productivities of these universities.

Prof. Egbewole, who said that the visit was to acknowledge, appreciate and re-echo the continual support of the National Universities Commission to the University of Ilorin over the years, congratulate the Ag. Executive Secretary, Mr Chris J. Maiyaki, on his appointment.

He said, “Your appointment as the Executive Secretary is like having a round peg in a round whole because you are a man who has seen it all as far as NUC is concerned”.

The Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law also commended the commitment and immense contributions of the immediate past Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed. He enjoined the Ag. Executive Secretary to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors to take university education in the country to a greater height.

The Vice Chancellor told Mr Maiyaki, “I have no doubt that you will consolidate on the foundation and successes of your predecessors to take University Education to the next level”.

Prof. Egbewole also used the opportunity to invite the Ag. Executive Secretary to the International Conference of the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State, KU8 holding at the University of Ilorin between 7th & 9th August, 2023.

In his response, the Ag. Executive Secretary, Mr Maiyaki, thanked the Vice Chancellor and his team for the visit, saying that it happened at a time when questions are being raised on what should be done differently especially on the need to regulate tuition fees, the debate on what should be the roles of the Unions, etc.

Mr Maiyaki also commended the successive managements of the University of Ilorin for the maintenance of peace and tranquility on the campus, smooth academic calendar and their cooperation with the NUC.

He, therefore, advised the management team and indeed all the workforce of the institution to rally support for the Vice Chancellor to successfully discharge the herculean task of his office. He also pledged that the NUC would also not stop to come up with workable policies to better the lots of universities in the country.

The NUC boss, who commended his predecessor, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, on his numerous achievements in office, pointed out that his sterling leadership was what brought about the idea and policy of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMax), a major instrument for quality assurance in the Nigerian University System.

While responding to his invitation to the maiden edition of KU8 International Conference, Mr Maiyaki commended the initiative of the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State, saying that it is the best practice of sharing ideas amongst the comity of universities, which is the practice in the United States of America. He, therefore, congratulated Unilorin for being the trailblazer of such idea in the country.

On the Vice Chancellor’s entourage were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. O. A. Omotesho; the Registrar/Secretary to Council, Mr M. A. Alfanla; the University Bursar, Mr. O.H. Sonde; and the Dean-elect, Faculty of Law, Prof. Nimah. M. AbdulRaheem.

Others were the Director, Centre for Affiliated Institutions, Prof. A.S. Abdussalam; the Director, Institute of Legislative Studies, Prof. I. Imam; and the Principal Assistant Registrar, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Mrs Azeezat Quadri-Ibrahim.