UI Foundation Day: Pro-Chancellor Bisi Akande Decries Excessive Bureaucracy Slowing Federal Universities

UI Foundation Day: Pro-Chancellor Bisi Akande Decries Excessive Bureaucracy Slowing Federal Universities

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan, Chief Bisi Akande, CFR, has raised strong concerns over what he described as crippling layers of bureaucracy imposed on federal universities, warning that the trend threatens academic excellence and institutional autonomy. He made the remarks on Monday, 17th November 2025, during the University’s 77th Foundation Day ceremony in Ibadan.

Addressing an audience of scholars, students, alumni, and dignitaries, Akande began by paying tribute to the institution’s founders, whose vision, he said, laid the foundation for a culture of ideas, innovation, and leadership that has defined the University of Ibadan (UI) for decades. “Today, we stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said, expressing pride in serving as the Pro-Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier university.

But Akande quickly shifted to what he termed a growing distortion of university governance in Nigeria. He noted that while the laws establishing federal universities clearly outline the functions of senates and governing councils, these institutions have, over the years, been subsumed under federal ministries, departments, and agencies in ways that contradict their founding laws.

According to him, the University of Ibadan and other federal universities have been “indiscriminately and uniformly misclassified” among regular government parastatals, leading to undue administrative oversight and a flood of circulars that often conflict with the universities’ enabling laws. “In many cases, those circular instructions derive from no law at all,” he lamented.

Akande gave a vivid illustration of the bureaucratic hurdles institutions now face, particularly in staff recruitment. He described what he called a “rigmarole” in which hiring even a driver, gardener, or security staff requires multiple layers of approval from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Budget, the Federal Character Commission, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, and finally, the Office of the Accountant General.

Approval processes that should take weeks now drag on for several months, he said, and in many cases extend beyond the budget year—forcing universities to restart the entire process. He noted that beyond the delays, the financial and human cost of shuttling to Abuja to secure routine approvals has become wasteful and demoralizing. This system, he added, undermines the ability of universities to attract and retain talent, especially in a global market where skills are portable.

“These over-centralization of bureaucratic confusions… have muddled up the administration of the University of Ibadan and other universities so intractably,” Akande warned. If not urgently addressed, he said, they could breed “academic lawlessness” and deepen conflicts between government and academic unions such as ASUU.

He argued that the recurring strikes in the university system stem largely from these structural contradictions, not merely disputes over wages or welfare. According to him, civil service approaches cannot be imposed on academic institutions whose operations demand professional flexibility, innovation, and timely decision-making.

“The officers issuing circulars from ministries and agencies are not better educated, nor more professionally qualified, nor more patriotic than those in the universities,” Akande stressed. He called for a review of all establishment laws guiding federal universities to align them with global best practices and restore institutional autonomy.

Despite these challenges, the Pro-Chancellor expressed confidence in the resilience and commitment of the UI community. He commended the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, and his management team for “maneuvering through the imposed administrative muddles” while maintaining stability and excellence. He also praised the staff for their dedication to sustaining UI’s enviable record as one of Africa’s most respected academic institutions.

Looking ahead, Akande urged the university community to uphold core values of integrity, respect, and excellence as they prepare for the future. With rapid global changes reshaping education and the workplace, he said universities must foster environments that promote critical thinking, security, innovation, and collaboration.

“Together, let us honor our foundation and work towards a future filled with promise, progress, and inspiration,” he said, calling on stakeholders to remain united in safeguarding UI’s legacy.

The ceremony also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on distinguished Nigerians, whom Akande described as embodiments of philanthropy, service, and industry. “Your selection is a recognition of industry and service to humanity,” he told the honorees, adding that their continued support would help the university attain greater heights.

To the new graduands, the Pro-Chancellor offered words of encouragement and responsibility. He described them as symbols of the nation’s promise, urging them to carry the “UI spirit” into their careers and justify the confidence the country has placed in them.

Akande concluded his address with prayers for the institution and the nation: “God bless the University of Ibadan. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

*Report by Dayo Emmanuel