Prof Attahiru Jega
Former INEC Chairman and esteemed academic Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega has urged the Federal Government to prioritize merit, competence, and integrity in appointing leadership across Nigerian universities.
Speaking on Thursday at the 3rd Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture at Gombe State University, titled “Challenges and Prospects of Improving University Governance in Nigeria,” Professor Jega warned that the increasing politicization of appointments threatens academic standards, institutional autonomy, and the quality of higher education in the country.
“A university is not a political platform. It is a centre for knowledge creation and human capital development. Leadership appointments driven by politics rather than merit undermine its core objectives,” he said.
The former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, stressed that political interference in selecting vice-chancellors and governing council members weakens governance, lowers staff morale, and hampers universities’ capacity to produce innovative, globally competitive graduates. He called for transparent, merit-driven selection processes based on academic record, leadership experience, and professional credibility.
Professor Jega noted that insulating universities from political influence is essential to restore public confidence and position Nigerian universities competitively on the global stage.
The lecture, held in honor of the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi, pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University, drew academics, policymakers, and students, including the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau.
Speaking as Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Umaru Pate, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, commended the university for sustaining the memorial lecture and highlighted Professor Jega’s expertise in university governance.
The event celebrated Mahadi’s enduring legacy in scholarship, leadership, and institutional development, while also emphasizing the urgent need for reforms in university governance to strengthen Nigeria’s higher education sector.