President Bola Tinubu yesterday charged tertiary institutions to follow the guidelines for good governance and proper financial management development by the Federal Government following their removal from the Integrated Personnel Payment System (IPPIS).
The Federal Executive Council approved the removal of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education from IPPIS in December last year.
The President said following the approval to take tertiary institutions off the payment platform, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, developed guidelines for tertiary institutions in the country to ensure good governance and proper financial management.
Tinubu said this at the 13th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and investiture of the new Chancellor of NOUN, Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’ Akpolokpolo Ewuare II yesterday in Abuja.
22,175 students were awarded various degree certificates.
Six students graduated with Doctor of Philosophy certificates (PhDs).
Of the 22, 175 students, the university awarded 22 students with First Class degrees.
Two eminent Nigerians, Founder of Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma and Hajia Hafsatu Abdulwaheed, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees.
Chukwuma received a Doctor of Business Administration degree for his enterprise and massive contribution to local content while Hafsatu was awarded a Doctor of Letters for promoting girl – child education and using literacy to break the cycle of poverty.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Academics at the National Universities Commission, Joel Saliu at the event said: “Following this approval, the Federal Ministry of Education and its relevant stakeholders developed the guidelines for good governance and proper financial management which the Federal Executive Council approved on the 26 of January 2024.”
The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Olufemi Peters said the university has grown from 1,230 students in 2003, to 170,000 active students in 2024 while the study centres expanded nationwide from 17 in 2003 to over 120 study centres, including those within correctional facilities across the country.
The Oba of Benin said he would use his position to enhance the university.
The first class monarch said: “As I step into the role of Chancellor, I am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that accompanies it. My vision for the National Open University of Nigeria is one of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. It is my fervent aspiration to leverage my position as a traditional ruler to enhance the fortunes of this esteemed institution.”
