UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE

The Governing Council

The Governing Council is the supreme policy-making body of the University, responsible for its property, finances, appointments and general direction.

Role of the Council

Under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University's own enabling law, the Governing Council is the highest organ of governance in the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo. Its members are appointed by the Visitor — the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria — on the recommendation of the Honourable Minister of Education, and it holds office for a fixed tenure.

The Council is responsible for the general control and superintendence of the policy, finances and property of the University, including its public relations. It appoints the Principal Officers, approves the establishment of new faculties and departments on the recommendation of Senate, approves the annual budget and audited accounts, and exercises final disciplinary authority over senior staff.

What the Council does not do is equally important. It does not determine academic content, examination standards, or the award of degrees — those are the exclusive province of the Senate. It does not involve itself in day-to-day management, which belongs to the Vice-Chancellor and Management. This division of responsibility is the settled convention of Nigerian university governance, and the Council of this University observes it strictly.

Membership of Council

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, the Vice-Chancellor, external members appointed by the Visitor, and internal members representing Senate, Congregation and the Ministry. Names are published here once appointments are confirmed.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council

To be announced

prochancellor@fustkabo.edu.ng

Prof. Muhammad Sanusi Magaji

Vice-Chancellor (Member)

B.Eng, M.Sc, PhD, FNSE

Chief Executive of the University and a statutory member of Council.

vc@fustkabo.edu.ng

External Member (Visitor's Nominee)

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

External Member (Visitor's Nominee)

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

External Member (Visitor's Nominee)

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

Representative, Federal Ministry of Education

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

Senate Representative on Council

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

Senate Representative on Council

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

Congregation Representative

To be announced

council@fustkabo.edu.ng

Registrar and Secretary to Council

To be announced

registrar@fustkabo.edu.ng

Statutory Functions of Council

The powers and duties conferred on Council by law.

General control and superintendence of the policy, finances and property of the University, including its public relations.
Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Registrar, Bursar and University Librarian, following advertisement and a competitive selection process.
Approval of the annual budget, the audited financial statements and the University's income and expenditure estimates submitted to Government.
Approval of the establishment, merger or dissolution of Faculties, Departments, Institutes and Centres on the recommendation of Senate.
Approval of conditions of service, salary structures, promotion criteria and staff disciplinary regulations.
Approval of the campus master plan, capital projects, award of major contracts and disposal of University assets.
Exercise of final disciplinary authority over senior staff, including suspension and removal in accordance with due process.
Approval of fees, levies and charges payable by students, within Federal Government policy on tuition in federal universities.
Receipt of reports from Senate, Management and Council committees, and monitoring of the implementation of Council decisions.
Accountability to the Visitor and to the National Assembly for the proper governance of the University.

Standing Committees of Council

Council conducts much of its detailed business through standing committees, which report to plenary.

Finance and General Purposes

Meets quarterly

Scrutinises the budget, monitors income and expenditure, reviews the audited accounts, and considers any matter Council refers to it. Chaired by the Pro-Chancellor.

Appointments and Promotions (Senior Staff)

Meets twice yearly

Considers appointments, confirmations and promotions of academic and senior non-teaching staff against published criteria.

Development and Physical Planning

Meets quarterly

Oversees the master plan, capital projects, project delivery timelines and the technical evaluation of major works.

Council Disciplinary Committee

As required

Hears cases involving senior staff and recommends sanctions to Council, applying the University's conditions of service and the principles of fair hearing.

Audit and Risk

Meets quarterly

Reviews internal audit reports, external audit management letters, risk registers and the University's internal control environment.

Tenders Board

As required

Approves procurement above departmental thresholds in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and Federal Government due-process guidelines.

Joint Council–Senate Committee

Meets twice yearly

Provides a forum where Council and Senate resolve matters touching both governance and academic policy, including new programme proposals.

Honorary Degrees and Awards

Annually

Considers nominations for honorary doctorates and University distinctions, on the joint recommendation of Senate and Council.

Council Meeting Calendar

Meeting	Type	Scheduled Period	Principal Business
1st Regular Meeting	Statutory	First quarter (January–March)	Adoption of the annual budget; review of the previous session's performance; Council committee reports.
2nd Regular Meeting	Statutory	Second quarter (April–June)	Appointments and promotions; capital project progress; audit and risk report.
3rd Regular Meeting	Statutory	Third quarter (July–September)	Audited financial statements; fees and charges; new programme proposals from Senate.
4th Regular Meeting	Statutory	Fourth quarter (October–December)	Estimates for the coming year; strategic plan review; convocation and honorary awards.
Special Meetings	Extraordinary	As convened by the Chairman	Urgent matters requiring Council decision between regular meetings.
Emergency Meetings	Extraordinary	On the requisition of members	Convened at the written request of not fewer than one-third of members of Council.

Frequently Asked Questions about Council

Who appoints members of the Governing Council?

External members, including the Pro-Chancellor, are appointed by the Visitor — the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria — on the recommendation of the Honourable Minister of Education. Internal members are elected by Senate and Congregation respectively, and the Federal Ministry of Education nominates its own representative.

How long does Council serve?

A Governing Council of a Nigerian federal university ordinarily serves a four-year tenure from the date of inauguration, unless dissolved earlier by the Visitor.

What is the difference between Council and Senate?

Council governs policy, finance, property and appointments. Senate governs academic matters — curricula, examinations, admissions standards and the award of degrees. Neither body can lawfully exercise the functions of the other, and the Registrar serves as Secretary to both.

Does Council approve individual student admissions?

No. Council approves admissions policy and quota; individual admissions are processed by the Registry through JAMB in accordance with Senate-approved criteria and NUC carrying capacity.

Can members of the public attend Council meetings?

No. Council meetings are not open to the public. However, Council decisions of general application are communicated through circulars from the Registrar, and the audited accounts are submitted to Government in accordance with law.

How do I petition Council?

Petitions should be addressed to the Chairman of Council through the Registrar, who is Secretary to Council. Matters that have not first been pursued through the ordinary administrative channels are normally referred back for treatment at the appropriate level.

Council Secretariat

The Council Secretariat is located within the Office of the Registrar in the University Administrative Block. All correspondence to Council, including petitions, nominations and requests to address Council, must be routed through the Registrar as Secretary to Council. Enquiries: council@fustkabo.edu.ng.