The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has warned federal universities against appointing vice-chancellors based on political influence, ethnic considerations or financial backing rather than merit.
Speaking at a lecture on university leadership and governance at the University of Abuja, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, Echono said only candidates with proven academic achievements, administrative experience and integrity should be considered for the position of vice-chancellor.
He expressed concern that political interference has increasingly influenced appointments in federal institutions, often placing personal interests above the needs of universities.
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“A candidate’s record must speak for itself and be verifiable. Universities should not be run like political wards. Leadership must be based on teaching, research, administrative competence and integrity,” he said.
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Echono also decried growing ethnic and religious bias in the selection process, saying such practices undermine merit and deny institutions the opportunity to attract the best leaders.
“When candidates are chosen because of their connections rather than competence, qualified people are pushed aside,” he said.
The TETFund boss further criticised the involvement of some university leaders in electoral activities, alleging that politicians sometimes support candidates for vice-chancellor positions with expectations of future favours.
“These are not mere allegations; they are realities that weaken the integrity of our institutions,” he said.
Echono noted that existing university laws already provide a transparent process for appointing vice-chancellors.
He said candidates should be assessed by a Joint Council and Senate Search Committee based on qualifications, research output, administrative experience, leadership ability, ICT knowledge, community service and character.
“The problem is not the absence of rules but the failure to follow them,” he said.
He urged aspiring vice-chancellors to build strong records of service and achievement instead of relying on political support.
The vice-chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, described the lecture as timely, saying it highlighted key challenges and offered practical solutions for improving leadership in Nigerian universities.
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This news development was originally reported by our media partner DailyTrust News .
