FG Limits Temporary Appointment in Federal University to Profs, Senior Lecturers

The Federal Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Federal Government, has imposed a restriction on the temporary hiring of academic staff in professorial and senior lecturer positions at Federal Government-owned universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

In a letter penned by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Watson-Jack, it was disclosed that the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education, and National Commission for Colleges of Education are facing challenges in the replacement of retired and deceased academic and non-academic staff members in federal tertiary institutions.

This issue has sparked debates among stakeholders due to the difficulties posed by the IPPIS system.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has expressed concern over the inability of institutions to replace retired staff members.

-In 2023, ASUU chapters in different states lamented the unfilled vacancies. ASUU at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, reported that approximately 100 lecturers had departed from the university, while the union at the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara, revealed that the institution required around 1,000 lecturers to address the vacancies left by those who had departed.

The union at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State reported that there were more than 350 academic vacancies at the institution. Additionally, 27 lecturers had departed from two faculties at the University of Lagos, and 100 workers at the University of Uyo had traveled abroad.

In a letter dated March 24, 2024, Watson-Jack outlined new employment requirements for institutions, stating that Governing Councils and Management are now responsible for policy direction, statutory duties, recruitment, promotion, disengagement, and discipline of staff.

The letter also emphasized the need for compliance with laws and conditions of service, budget-based employment, proper advertising and interviewing of candidates, and securing approval for staffing requirements from regulatory bodies and the Ministry of Education for newly established tertiary institutions.

 Additionally, temporary recruitment is limited to Senior Lecturers and Professorial Cadre, accounting for no more than 5% in any given year and lasting no longer than one year.