The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the postponement of the inauguration and retreat for pro-chancellors, chairmen and members of Governing councils of federal tertiary institutions, earlier scheduled for Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024.

This was contained in a statement, signed by the ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Biriowo.

Biriowo said the postponement was to ensure a comprehensive review of the list as directed by the Presidency.

“This is as a result of the presidential directive, as conveyed by the State House press release dated May 23, 2024, for a comprehensive review of the membership of the governing councils of federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“We regret any inconveniences this may cause.

“Further updates will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had ordered a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards of tertiary institutions.

A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the review will be effected before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.

The ministry had released names of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education following threats by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on strike over the alleged delays in constituting councils.

However, ASUU had refused to accept the newly constituted council, urging for the return of the disbanded council.

The Union alleged that the tenure of the former councils had not elapsed before they were removed from office adding that the action of the government was illegal.

There was also an outcry from the public that the nominations did not reflect the Federal Character principle.

Onanuga in the statement concurred that the reaction from the public showed that the nomination did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination while some others got many.

He further stated that the President acknowledged the feedback across the country and is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of Federal Character as entrenched in the Constitution.

“The review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented,” he had said.