Mr Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, on Saturday urged both Federal and state governments to grant full autonomy to universities.
He made the call during a convocation lecture titled, ‘University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,’ held at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The TETFUND boss stated that universities, as ivory towers, have three core mandates: teaching, research, and community service.
Mr Sonny Echono, the boss argued that to carry out their functions, both federal and state-owned universities must be granted full autonomy, allowing them greater operational freedom.
He also explained that university autonomy and academic freedom are separate but fundamental aspects of university operations, crucial for maintaining quality education and fostering academic growth.
Echono further highlighted that the government’s current policy on university autonomy does not fully guarantee freedom, as it retains ultimate control through university governing councils.
Echono then urged the Federal Government to grant universities more autonomy to enhance infrastructure and foster collaboration with industries, alumni, and other educational institutions.
He emphasised that autonomy enables universities to build stronger networks, improve infrastructure, and collaborate globally to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in education.
“University autonomy also provides opportunities for global collaboration, allowing universities to share ideas, research, and effective teaching methods, benefiting the learning process,” he said.
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Prof. Abayomi Fasina, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, in his response commended the guest speaker at the university’s 9th convocation ceremony.
Fasina expressed gratitude to TETFUND for its continued support in promoting the university’s development, despite economic challenges.
The VC then assured university stakeholders of his administration’s commitment to improving and promoting quality education at the institution.
