In a significant development, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s newly approved university governing councils.

The rejection stems from ASUU's assertion that the majority of the appointed members are "retired politicians" rather than qualified technocrats.

President Tinubu recently announced the formation of new governing councils for several universities, a move aimed at enhancing the management and operational efficiency of these institutions.

However, ASUU has raised serious concerns regarding the composition of these councils, arguing that the appointments are not in line with the educational and professional standards required to govern academic institutions effectively.

ASUU's rejection of the newly approved councils has sparked a debate about the role of political influence in the management of educational institutions. Critics argue that appointing retired politicians to governing councils could undermine the autonomy and effectiveness of universities, leading to decisions that favor political interests over academic excellence.

The union has called on President Tinubu to reconsider the appointments and ensure that future selections are based on merit, academic qualifications, and relevant experience. ASUU also emphasized the importance of involving stakeholders from the academic community in the decision-making process to guarantee that the governance of universities remains in capable hands.

In response to ASUU’s concerns, a spokesperson for the presidency defended the appointments, stating that the selected individuals bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives that can benefit the universities. The spokesperson also highlighted the administration's commitment to improving the higher education sector and assured that the appointed councils would work towards achieving this goal.

The controversy over the new governing councils adds to the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education sector, including funding shortages, infrastructure deficits, and frequent industrial actions. As the debate continues, stakeholders in the education sector will be watching closely to see how the government addresses ASUU's objections and whether any changes will be made to the composition of the governing councils.