The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has urged the federal government to grant full autonomy to Nigerian universities by abolishing existing policies that limit their independence. This call was made by TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, during the 9th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

Echono highlighted the contradiction between the Universities Autonomy Act №1 of 2007, which grants universities the power to manage their own affairs, and the government’s continued control over them. He emphasized that the Act was designed to free universities from bureaucratic constraints, allowing governing councils to function without undue interference. However, he noted that the federal government still influences university operations through constitutional provisions and the dissolution of governing councils.

In his lecture titled “University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” Echono explained that true autonomy would empower universities to handle their academic curricula, staff welfare, and finances efficiently. He clarified that autonomy does not equate to privatization or absolve the government of its responsibility to fund higher education. However, conflicts between autonomy and government policies, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), need to be addressed to enable universities to manage their internally generated revenue effectively.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Professor Adebayo Bamire, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to funding education and ensuring access to quality learning opportunities.

During the convocation, FUOYE conferred honorary degrees on four distinguished individuals, including former Attorney General Kanu Agabi and Air Peace Chairman Dr. Allen Onyema. The university also celebrated the graduation of 8,444 students, including 177 first-class graduates and 38 Ph.D. holders.