By Ade Iyamoye
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has called on the Federal Government to fully relinquish control of Nigerian universities, urging the enforcement of complete autonomy in line with existing laws.
Speaking at the 9th convocation of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, criticized ongoing government interference despite the Universities Autonomy Act No. 1 of 2007, which was designed to empower institutions to govern independently.
Echono emphasized that autonomy would allow universities to manage their academic programs, staff welfare, and finances without external meddling.
He stressed that while autonomy does not exempt the government from funding responsibilities, it would free institutions from the bureaucratic grip of the civil service.
He highlighted contradictions in the current policy, particularly the dissolution of governing councils and control over university funds through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which undermine institutional independence.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Professor Adebayo Bamire of Obafemi Awolowo University, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting quality education through adequate funding.
During the ceremony, FUOYE honored four distinguished individuals with honorary degrees: Senator Kanu Agabi, SAN; Chief Adebayo Ojo, SAN; Segun Alebiosu, MD of First Bank; and Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace.
The university graduated 8,444 students, including 177 with first-class honors, 3,466 with second-class upper, and 38 PhD recipients.
