The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr Sonny Echono, has identified corruption, nepotism, and political interference as major obstacles to effective governance in public universities in Nigeria.
He warned that the growing influence of non-merit factors in the appointment of vice chancellors is undermining academic excellence and institutional development.
Echono stated this while presenting findings from his doctoral research titled ‘Leadership Selection Process and Governance of Federal Universities in Nigeria (1993-2024)’ during a public lecture held at the University of Abuja.
The study, conducted over three years across 20 federal universities in the country’s six geopolitical zones, examined the relationship between leadership selection processes and governance outcomes in higher institutions.
According to Echono, the research established a strong positive correlation between transparent, inclusive leadership selection and effective university governance.
He noted that institutions that prioritise accountability, stakeholder engagement, and merit-based appointments tend to achieve better governance outcomes, improved institutional stability, and enhanced academic performance.
‘The research clearly demonstrates that transparent and inclusive leadership selection processes are critical to effective governance in our federal universities. Institutions that prioritise accountability and stakeholder engagement consistently record better governance outcomes and stronger institutional stability,’ he said.
He, however, lamented that political interference, nepotism, and corruption continue to compromise the integrity of leadership appointments in universities, thereby weakening governance structures and limiting institutional progress.
‘Political interference, nepotism, and corruption remain among the greatest threats to good governance in our universities. When leadership appointments are influenced by factors other than merit and competence, the entire institution suffers,’ Echono stated.
The TETFund boss recalled that Nigerian universities once operated a more competitive and merit-driven system where vice-chancellors were often appointed outside their states of origin, a practice that promoted national integration and reduced ethnic considerations.
He expressed concern that the increasing localisation of vice-chancellor appointments and preference for candidates with political connections have narrowed the pool of qualified candidates and weakened university autonomy.
Echono further noted that leaders who emerge through credible and transparent selection processes are more likely to promote research productivity, innovation, sound financial management, and collaboration among scholars.
The study also found that federal universities that actively engage stakeholders, including students, academic staff, alumni, and host communities, in leadership selection demonstrate stronger accountability, greater public trust, and improved governance effectiveness.
To address the challenges identified, Echono recommended the development and enforcement of clear, standardised guidelines for leadership appointments across federal universities.
He said such guidelines should clearly outline appointment procedures, qualification requirements, and mechanisms for stakeholder participation.
He also called for greater stakeholder involvement through the establishment of inclusive search committees comprising representatives of faculty, students, alumni, and industry stakeholders.
According to him, leadership vacancies should be publicly advertised, while technology-driven platforms such as online application systems, electronic voting mechanisms, virtual town hall meetings, and digital archiving should be adopted to enhance transparency and accountability.
The TETFund Executive Secretary further advocated regular independent audits of leadership selection exercises and effective feedback mechanisms that would enable stakeholders to report concerns and grievances.
‘Accountability must remain at the heart of university governance. Regular audits and credible feedback mechanisms are essential safeguards against abuse, manipulation, and violations of established procedures,’ he said.
Echono expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would strengthen governance structures, improve educational outcomes, and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Earlier, the vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, stressed the need for merit-based leadership and institutional reforms in Nigerian universities.
He cautioned that the increasing politicisation of vice-chancellor appointments by some governing councils poses a serious threat to university autonomy and effective governance.
Also speaking, the director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman, said the centre was established by TETFund to promote leadership excellence and strengthen governance culture in the country.