Reform eases recruitment process for federal universities

By Precious Olugbodi

President Bola Tinubu has exempted federal universities from obtaining recruitment waivers from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), a move expected to ease staffing delays and strengthen institutional autonomy.

The President announced the reform on Saturday, October 17 at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA) in Bauchi State.

He was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono.

According to Tinubu, the change was included in recent agreements signed between the Federal Government and university staff unions.

The exemption empowers the Federal Ministry of Education and university governing councils to make recruitment decisions in line with their staffing needs, without the additional requirement of securing waivers from the OHCSF.

The development could help universities fill vacant positions, replace retiring personnel and recruit additional academic and non-academic staff more efficiently. It could also create opportunities for qualified Nigerians seeking employment in the tertiary education sector as institutions address their staffing needs.

The President said the reform forms part of broader efforts to strengthen university autonomy and create a more supportive environment for teaching, research, innovation and service delivery.

Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government was working to improve personnel and payroll administration in tertiary institutions by migrating their staff from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

The proposed transition is intended to improve payroll efficiency, transparency and accountability, ensure timely and accurate salary payments, and accommodate the operational needs of tertiary institutions.

The reforms could support the effective running of federal universities by giving them greater flexibility in managing recruitment and personnel administration.

However, the impact on employment opportunities and university staffing will depend on how institutions implement the changes and their available resources.