The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance and reducing administrative litigations within the education sector. This was the focus of the 3rd Annual Retreat for Legal Advisers, Registrars, Principals/Vice Principals of Unity Colleges, and Administrative Officers.
Representing the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Dr. Mufida Hussain Bello highlighted the event’s critical role in addressing institutional governance challenges and administrative prudence. Dr. Ahmad emphasized the need for participants to adopt actionable strategies that would enhance compliance, safeguard the integrity of the education system, and minimize resources lost to avoidable litigations.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, represented by Dr. Yusuf Saheed, noted that administrative lapses have led to costly litigations and reputational damage. He highlighted the Ministry’s resolve to entrench a culture of compliance with extant laws and due process.
Mr. P.C. Ike, Acting Director, Legal Department, Federal Ministry of Education, welcomed participants and commended the Ministry for its commitment to institutional excellence. He noted that the retreat provides a platform to interrogate, harvest, and implement basic laws and principles guiding public administration in educational institutions. Ike urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to their daily operations, emphasizing strict adherence to due process and rules to avoid unnecessary disputes and enhance institutional credibility.
According to Mr. Geoffrey Uwadiegwu Oputa, Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Justice Watch, the retreat aimed to address conflicts within the education sector’s administration, board members, staff, and executives. The goal was to reduce or eliminate these conflicts, subsequently decreasing litigation and associated costs. The retreat explored Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) tools, emphasizing the importance of legal officers’ roles in preventing litigation.
The three-day retreat featured insightful sessions on conflict management, compliance with procurement laws, and arbitration and mediation. The Ministry expressed confidence that the retreat would enhance the capacity of legal and administrative officers, reduce litigation, and strengthen governance frameworks.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press & PR
Federal Ministry of Education
