The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arch. Sonny Echono, has reemphasised that the future of Nigeria’s public universities hinges on the establishment of effective, transparent leadership and governance.
In a recent keynote address delivered at a convocation ceremony, Echono said leadership and governance are crucial to overcoming the numerous challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education system and to ensuring its sustainable growth.
He emphasised that strong leadership is the cornerstone of organizational success and societal development. However, he cautioned that poor leadership could hinder the progress of universities and their ability to serve the public effectively.
“Leadership is not merely a title,” Echono explained. “It is a profound responsibility. True leadership is about inspiring, guiding, and serving those who place their trust in you. It’s about setting an example and carrying the weight of your decisions with integrity.”
He continued by asserting that effective leadership goes beyond day-to-day management. “Leadership is about shaping a clear vision, setting a direction, and making decisions that have long-lasting effects on both the organization and society.
“At its core, leadership is about taking responsibility. Leaders must bear the weight of their decisions with transparency and accountability. They must act with integrity and possess the courage to make tough choices.”
According to Echono, leadership should not be about exerting control from the top but about serving the needs of those being led. “A true leader understands that their role is to serve, not to command,” he stated.
He further elaborated on the traits that define effective leadership, noting that it is not solely about expertise or authority but about how one interacts with others, inspires confidence, and earns respect. “A great leader sees the bigger picture and can unite others toward a common goal, even in challenging times,” he stated.
Echono stressed that good leadership requires foresight, adaptability, and focus despite uncertainties. “Leaders must envision the future and inspire others to follow that vision. Leadership is about preparing for tomorrow, not just managing today.”
He described leadership and governance as complementary forces, with leadership providing vision and direction, while governance ensures accountability, transparency, and commitment to the welfare of the people. “The two are inseparable..Strong leadership fosters effective governance, and good governance, in turn, empowers leaders to serve their communities better.”
Echono also called for more transparency and accountability in the selection process for university leadership, saying that decision-makers must be accountable, and clear criteria must be established for leadership appointments to ensure a transparent process.
He proposed strengthening university autonomy to reduce political interference, which can undermine governance effectiveness. He also recommended the introduction of independent monitoring mechanisms to maintain integrity in leadership selections, ensuring trust in the system.
He further identified several governance challenges currently plaguing Nigerian public universities, pointing out that ineffective governance structures often lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies, slow decision-making, and a failure to respond to evolving needs.
He also warned that weak leadership, focused only on short-term goals, could jeopardize long-term institutional objectives.
A significant barrier to achieving institutional goals, according to Echono, is the lack of accountability and transparency in resource allocation. “Inadequate infrastructure in public universities severely hampers teaching, research, and student experience.”
This infrastructure deficit, he explained, deepens existing inequalities and impedes research and international engagement.
“The fast pace of technological development has left many universities behind in terms of adopting new technologies for teaching, research, and administration,” he added.
Echono called for increased investment in Nigeria’s public universities, stressing that the country’s growing youth population presents a unique opportunity to harness demographic dividends. “To unlock this potential, we must invest in higher education. We must prepare our youth as global citizens, ready to fill the workforce gaps in an interconnected global economy.”
He reiterated that universities are vital for educating the leaders of tomorrow and producing the technical expertise required for economic development. “Higher education is essential for achieving national development goals and ensuring long-term prosperity,” Echono stated.
He stressed the need for collective effort among government officials, university leaders, faculty, staff, and students to improve the quality of education, calling on universities to build stronger governance structures that are inclusive, transparent, and accountable, while urging the government to address challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and leadership.
“By fostering visionary leadership and good governance, we can ensure that Nigeria’s universities remain pillars of innovation and progress, preparing future leaders for the global stage,” Echono said.