Echono Advocates for Better University Governance in Nigeria

On June 18, 2026, Sonni Togo Echono, the former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), delivered a public lecture at the University of Abuja. His lecture focused on the leadership selection process governing federal universities in Nigeria from 1993 to 2024.

Echono's research revealed that Nigeria's university governance has been adversely affected by ethnic and religious biases, leading to a decline in academic standards and research output. He noted that Nigeria's higher education system, which has been independent since 1960, has fallen behind its Commonwealth peers.

The lecture also addressed the need for reforms in leadership selection to enhance the quality of education and research in the country. The event was part of a series aimed at improving governance in Nigerian universities, with a focus on restoring stability and academic integrity.