The Federal Government should address the university budgeting system to ensure adequate funding and prudent application of resources, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, has said.
The former Head of Civil Service of the Federation also urged the government to address the recruitment procedures in Nigerian universities, where, he stressed, the proliferation of waivers could be cumbersome and frustrating.
Yayale further urged that universities councils, whose composition, according to him, should be based on competence rather than partisanship, must be empowered to operate within the law and be held responsible for any breaches.
The ABU Governing Council Chairman made the call during the 45th Convocation Ceremony of the university in Zaria on Saturday, 31st January, 2026.
Yayale, who appreciated the government’s efforts to reposition Nigerian universities in facing the challenges of the time, also said such issues were constitutionally and legally encouraged.
“It is with these commitments in mind that I advise the government to address these and other areas to guarantee the reemergence of an ideal university system”, he stressed.
Yayale expressed confidence that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would support the Minister of Education to streamline these issues in proper management of the Nigerian university system.
He also expressed gratitude to the government for its dedication to advancing the Nigerian university system.
This dedication, according to him, was evidenced through development initiatives aimed at enhancing the learning environment, as well as the welfare of staff and students.
He described as “laudable” the government’s endeavours to promote industrial harmony through negotiations with unions for enduring and sustainable peace in Nigerian universities and other higher education institutions.
Turning to the students, Yayale empathised the importance of character, which ABU graduates must exhibit to qualify for the award of its degrees.
“Besides acquiring intellectual competence, students must demonstrate strong moral integrity”, he also said.
Yayale called on the University Senate and Management to inculcate the virtues of honesty, humility, discipline, perseverance, and respect, with a view to ethically moulding students into better and patriotic citizens.
The Pro-Chancellor urged members of the university community and other stakeholders to support ABU’s admirable development by focusing on the institution’s best interest as set out in its laws and statutes.
Yayale also thanked the Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, His Majesty Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe, for his commitment towards the success of the university.
He also commended the Vice-Chancellor, the Senate, the Congregation, the Management, staff, and students for their steadfast dedication to the ABU vision and mission.
