A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Laide Abbas, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to scrap the National Universities Commission and disband the governing councils of universities.
Abbas said that in his over two decades of working as a university administrator, he had never come across an establishment like the NUC in advanced countries, insisting that the NUC was an aberration.
He spoke at an award ceremony organised by The Wings Schools, in Iwo, on Saturday.
Lamenting the dearth of role models in the country, the Professor of Computer Science said that the lack of role models had affected the development of Nigerian youths.
Abbas also said that the composition of many governing councils of uni vers i t i e s nationwide had been replete with unworthy personalities.
He said, “The story of the birth of the NUC is well known to me. It was to serve as a link between government and the university so that vice-chancellors will not be seen parading the corridors of power to get funds.
“(The late) F.R.A Williams, as the pioneer chairman of the NUC, used his contacts to raise funds for the commission and its activities were managed well but now what we have is an NUC that feeds fat on the meagre resources available to the education sector.”
He alleged that some members of universities’ governing councils were linked to the diversion of public funds, while many others engaged in outright stealing of public funds.
Abbas noted that an external examination body or group with lesser financial implications could do the regulatory and supervisory roles being played by the NUC.
A consultant to the school, Lai Olurode, who is a Professor of Sociology, said the ceremony was organised to help youths to attain high moral standards, adding that Nigerian youths had become an endangered species.
A UNILAG lecturer, Dr. Ismail Musa, who delivered a lecture titled, “The dearth of role models and poverty of ethical leadership in Nigeria,” said Nigeria needed to rebuild a school culture in order to check the pervading degeneration in the country.
Some the personalities honoured with awards include Deacon M. A. O Shoyele, Alhaji Agoro Elere, Khalifah Abdul Olodo, Prof. Olasupo Ladipo, Pa Adebayo Agbaje,Otunba Adebayo Aremu, Pa James Alagbe and Dr. Daniel Olaosebikan.
