The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Sonny Echono, has urged both the Federal and State Governments to grant full autonomy to universities in Nigeria.
Echono made this call during a convocation lecture at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on Saturday, emphasizing that teaching, research, and community service—the core mandates of universities—can only thrive with greater independence.
Why University Autonomy Matters
Echono argued that the current policy does not truly allow universities to operate freely since the government retains control through governing councils. He stressed that:
✅ Autonomy improves infrastructure
✅ Encourages collaboration with industries, alumni, and institutions
✅ Enhances global partnerships for research and education
🗣️ “University autonomy provides opportunities for global collaboration, allowing institutions to share ideas, research, and effective teaching methods,” he said.
VC Commends TETFUND
In response, FUOYE’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, praised TETFUND’s contributions to university development despite economic challenges and reaffirmed his commitment to improving education quality.
Echono concluded that granting universities full autonomy would enhance efficiency, boost performance, and contribute to national development.
