The National University Commission (NUC) has directed outgoing vice-chancellors in federal universities to nominate their deputies to temporarily serve as acting vice-chancellors.
The directive was conveyed in a circular to the outgoing vice-chancellors on May 28.
The commission, in a letter signed by Chris Maiyaki, the acting executive secretary of NUC, said outgoing VCs are expected to nominate a person to serve in the acting capacity of a deputy vice-chancellor based on the recommendation of the school senate.
The NUC also directed that upon inauguration, the governing council should nominate an acting vice-chancellor within a period not less than 6 months during which a substantive VC is appointed.
“I am directed to inform you to kindly disseminate the following information to all the Vice-Chancellors whose tenure will be completed soon,” the letter reads.
“To nominate through the recommendation of the Senate a Deputy Vice-Chancellor that will oversee office of the Vice-Chancellor in a temporary capacity.
“The Governing Council after inauguration would appoint an Acting Vice- Chancellor for a period not less than 6 months during which the Council will commence the process of appointing a substantive Vice- Chancellor.
“Please, accept the assurances of my warm regards and consideration.”
The NUC is a parastatal under the federal ministry of education. It is saddled with the responsibilities to develop and manage university education in Nigeria.
Its functions include granting approval for all academic programmes run in Nigerian universities, establishing all higher educational institutions offering degree programmes, and ensuring quality assurance of all academic programmes offered in Nigerian universities.
