The Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State has issued a warning to the governing councils of tertiary institutions that are state-owned institutions to avoid doing anything that could jeopardize the financial stability of the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education that are under their control.
According to Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology in Ogun, members of the governing councils are supposed to conserve money and generate income for their particular schools rather than mismanage funds and other resources.
At the start of a two-day workshop held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, on Thursday, Arigbabu issued the warning.
The workshop's theme was "Governing Councils of Higher Educational Institutions: Concept, Roles, Relevance and Expectations," and it was put on by the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Institute for Governance Studies at OOU.
The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Adetona, stated that an efficient governing council might improve the fortunes of tertiary education and that, if its issues were resolved, the education sector will play its necessary role in the development of the nation.
The Education Commissioner argued in his keynote speech that governing councils are essentially created to reposition educational institutions in order to fulfill their basic responsibilities.
Arigbabu cautioned that if everyone is aware of his roles, obligations, and limitations, there shouldn't be conflicts or unhealthful rivalry between governing councils and managements of tertiary institutions.
He asserted that tertiary institutions would expand quickly if Governing Councils and managements worked together effectively.
Arigbabu emphasized that governing councils should be problem solvers rather than problems producers, saying that they should be blessings for institutions rather than curses.
"Because they are entrusted with both public and private finances, governing bodies are required to observe the highest standards of corporate governance.
This entails acting with honesty and objectivity when conducting business and, whenever practical, adhering to a policy of openness and transparency when disseminating their conclusions, he suggested.
The king referred to governing councils as crucial players in the governance of tertiary education while delivering his message of kindness.
The Awujale voiced worry that Nigeria's higher education system is in crisis as a result of a number of circumstances and causes.
"Thus, this workshop is quite appropriate," he said, noting that Ogun is one of the States in Nigeria with the biggest number of higher institutions and faces its fair share of the problems plaguing tertiary education nationwide.
The workshop was organized, according to OOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, to further sensitize participants to their roles as the leading body in the management of tertiary education in the State.
He asserts that managing tertiary education in a globalized and constantly changing world is not static but rather very dynamic, and that regardless of an individual's knowledge base, managers of tertiary institutions must constantly keep up with modern realities through routine training and retraining.
