Reps Warn Against Lopsided Recruitment

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has warned against lopsided recruitment in Nigerian Universities.

Rep. Abubakar Fulata, the chairman of the committee gave the warning in a statement on Friday in Abuja after the committee’s visit to the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger.

Mr Fulata faulted the situation where the Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Academic and Registrar would come from the same state in a Federal University.

He said flagrant disobedience to federal character principle was an infraction of constitutional provisions.

“The Constitution of Nigeria is very clear on the percentage to be recruited which is between 2.5 to 3 per cent.

“But giving one state about 65 to 70 per cent of the entire workforce, both teaching and non-teaching staff, is a clear violation of the federal character principles and the constitution of the country,” he said.

The House Committee had recently visited some Federal Universities including University of Abuja and the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Abuja.

The committee also visited the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi, University of Ilorin, Kwara and Federal University of Technology, Minna.

He said his committee would ensure there is value for money, adding that it must ensure what is being spent was in line with the appropriation Act.

Mr Fulata warned against spending without appropriation, adding that the power to appropriate was vested in the National Assembly.

Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, commended the committee for the visit.

He said the school had about 25,000 students and that his administration was doing everything possible to improve on research and other sectors.