By Anwar Usman
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sunday Echono, has expressed concern over the growing influence of politics and corruption in the appointment of Vice Chancellors in Nigerian universities, describing the trend as detrimental to the quality of higher education.
Echono, made this known while speaking at the 36th convocation lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, he explained how political interference and financial incentives are eroding the sanctity of university leadership selection processes.
“The sponsorship of the selection process of Vice Chancellors by politicians has made university administration increasingly local,” he stated, reiterating that the undue influence of external forces has compromised the integrity of the process.
He also noted that the competition for these appointments has become a lucrative venture, turning members of governing councils into targets for financial inducements.
He further explained that, “Our universities have become increasingly local, with the majority of academic and non-academic staff sponsored by local politicians and other leaders from the host communities.
“Political affiliation has also assumed overarching importance in the selection process,” he lamented.
To restore credibility to the leadership selection process, Echono calls for greater autonomy for universities to shield them from political interference.
He also stressed the need for decision-makers to uphold transparency and implement clear criteria in selecting university leaders.