By Waziri Isa Adam Gwantu
ILORIN – The Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities, Alhaji Mahmud Ahmed Yayale, has called for a renewed partnership between Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors, saying leadership conflicts will undermine efforts to build resilient universities in Nigeria.
Yayale made the call on Tuesday in his goodwill message at the 37th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, CVCNU, held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The conference held on August 18 and 19, 2026 under the theme, “Building Resilient Universities for Nigeria.”
He said universities are operating in an increasingly complex environment characterised by funding constraints, changing societal expectations, technological disruption, global competition and the demand for institutions that are accountable, innovative and responsive to national development.
“Meeting these challenges requires strong leadership, but even more importantly, it requires partnership, trust and a shared sense of purpose among all those entrusted with the governance and administration of our universities,” he said.
Yayale emphasised the relationship between Vice-Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors/Governing Councils. He said Vice-Chancellors should see their Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils as partners in progress, and that Councils should not be perceived as rivals or bodies established to obstruct university management.
“Governing Councils are supervisory and advisory organs constituted by Government to support good governance and ensure the smooth and effective running of our institutions,” he said. “A strong Council should be a source of support to the Vice-Chancellor. It should provide wise counsel, strengthen institutional governance and, where necessary, protect and defend sound decisions taken in the best interest of the university.”
He added that a strong Vice-Chancellor should recognise that the oversight exercised by Council is an important safeguard for the institution rather than an intrusion into management responsibilities.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation said the relationship must be built on mutual respect, clearly defined responsibilities, transparency and accountability. He urged Vice-Chancellors to embrace transparency in dealings with Councils and ensure members have access to information on finances, appointments, procurement, projects, policies and other major decisions.
At the same time, he said Governing Councils must respect the statutory and administrative responsibilities of Vice-Chancellors. “Oversight must not become interference in the day-to-day management of the university. Council must supervise without micromanaging, while Management must exercise its authority without shutting Council out,” he said.
Yayale warned that Nigerian universities cannot afford leadership conflicts. “The challenges confronting Nigerian higher education are simply too significant for Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors to expend valuable time and resources competing for authority. We must replace rivalry with partnership, suspicion with transparency, and confrontation with constructive engagement,” he said.
He called for closer collaboration between the Committee of Pro-Chancellors and CVCNU, saying the two bodies can achieve much when they understand their respective responsibilities and work together in the interest of higher education.
He encouraged participants to champion good governance, institutional autonomy accompanied by accountability, transparency, academic excellence and collaboration across the university system.
Yayale congratulated the leadership of CVCNU, the University of Ilorin as host, and all Vice-Chancellors gathered for the conference. He expressed hope that the deliberations would contribute to building “the resilient, globally competitive and nationally relevant university system that Nigeria deserves.”