The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has cautioned universities against ethnic bias and other forms of discrimination in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, warning that such practices undermine institutional growth and academic excellence.
Echono said the selection of university leaders must be guided strictly by merit, competence, integrity and proven administrative capacity rather than ethnic considerations or other sentiments that could compromise fairness in the process.
He stressed that universities thrive when governing councils uphold transparency and prioritize qualified candidates capable of driving innovation, research development and effective institutional management.
According to him, the credibility of Nigeria’s university system depends largely on the integrity of leadership selection processes, noting that bias in appointments weakens governance structures and affects overall performance.
The TETFund boss urged governing councils and relevant stakeholders to adhere strictly to established guidelines in leadership selection, ensuring that only individuals with the right experience and vision are entrusted with such critical roles.
He also called for stronger accountability mechanisms within university governance systems to safeguard against interference and promote fairness in decision-making.
Echono further emphasized the need for continuous reforms that will strengthen institutional autonomy while maintaining standards that support global competitiveness in higher education.
He reiterated TETFund’s commitment to supporting universities through funding, infrastructure development and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving teaching, research and leadership effectiveness.
The warning comes amid ongoing discussions on university governance and leadership selection processes across several institutions in the country.