President alleges financial recklessness in varsities, seeks prosecution of suspects

President Muhammad Buhari has accused universities’ management of gross financial impropriety.

He raised the alarm at the weekend, during the 34th Convocation of Bayero University, Kano.

The president stressed that the managements of many universities were also guilty of high handedness in the discharge of their duties.

He expressed Federal Government’s concern about pending cases of financial recklessness, and pledged support for the prosecution of suspects.

He lamented the high number of such cases of corruption that are presently being investigated by the anti-graft agencies.

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, represented the president at the event.

Although, the president declined to mention the universities involved, he, however cautioned authorities of institutions to ensure prudency, transparency and efficiency in the management of resources.

Buhari hinted that the Ministry of Education, through the NUC had been directed to produce a blue print to transform the country from resource to knowledge based-system.

He also tasked the management of Bayero University to sustain the efforts at enhancing the quality of research and building of innovation in Information Communications Technology (ICT), and other technical advancements.

He said: “The Federal Government was committed to assisting universities to produce skilled manpower and building strong economy that is capable of sustaining the change agenda.”

The Pro-chancellor of the university, Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, pledged the council’s readiness to transforming the university.

Gambari, who is a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations, promised that the varsity would be upgraded into one of the best ranking institutions in the world.

Also, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammad Yahuza Bello, disclosed that there is acute shortage of water and power supply in the university.

A total number of 7,657 students graduated at the convocation.

Of this number, 70 received Ph.D. 1,883 got Master’s degrees, while 656 had postgraduate diplomas.

Also, 5,098 graduated with Bachelor’s degrees.