Education Minister Bans Acting Officers from Contesting Top Varsity Roles: New Policy Targets Appointment Bias

In a major move to clean up leadership appointments in Nigeria’s federal tertiary institutions, the Federal Ministry of Education has introduced a bold new policy that bars officers serving in acting capacities from contesting for the top positions of Vice Chancellor, Rector, or Provost.

The policy, approved by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, is aimed at promoting equity, transparency, and integrity in the appointment processes across federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. It comes amid longstanding concerns that some acting officers manipulate their temporary positions to secure permanent appointments, undermining fair competition.

The Ministry’s new directive states that individuals serving in acting roles will no longer be eligible to apply for the substantive positions unless they step down before the expiration of their six-month non-renewable acting term. This change, according to the Ministry, is essential to level the playing field for all candidates and to restore credibility to the selection process.

“This policy has become necessary following a pattern of undue advantage observed over the years,” said a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations. “Officers in acting capacities often leverage their positions to influence outcomes, compromising fairness and transparency.”

The policy is designed to work alongside the existing 2013 Guidelines on the Appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts, and other federal regulations. Stakeholders, including Governing Councils and institutional management teams, are expected to enforce full compliance.

The Ministry expressed appreciation for the cooperation of stakeholders and reiterated its belief that the new policy would restore public confidence in leadership appointments within the education sector.