The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Mr. Sonny Echono, has urged the Federal and state governments to grant full autonomy to universities, emphasizing its crucial role in enhancing the quality of higher education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the convocation lecture of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, titled “University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” Echono stressed that universities need independence to fulfill their core mandates of teaching, research, and community service effectively.
Why University Autonomy Matters
Echono highlighted that while academic freedom and autonomy are interconnected, true autonomy allows universities to make independent decisions about funding, governance, and collaborations.
He pointed out that the government still maintains control through governing councils, which limits institutions’ ability to operate freely.
To bridge this gap, Echono called for:
- Increased infrastructure development
- Stronger partnerships with industries and alumni networks
- Greater global collaboration for knowledge exchange and research
Improving Higher Education for National Growth
According to Echono, granting universities more autonomy will boost efficiency, enhance performance, and foster global competitiveness.
He also emphasized the need for funding reforms to prevent financial constraints from affecting academic standards.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, praised TETFUND for its continued support in addressing infrastructure challenges and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting quality education.
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