The now former executive secretary of National University Commission (NUC), Prof Abubakar Rasheed, has stated that personal reasons and his desire to return back to the classroom were the purpose for his voluntary resignation as the executive secretary of the NUC.
Rasheed, who disclosed this during an interface with the media on Friday, stated that though he had three more years to stay, he had decided to spend the rest of his active years in the classroom.
“I have written to Bayero University to return to the school tomorrow(July, 1 2023).
“I didn’t want to come back to the classroom two years back but I was reappointed so I have to return. I want to be conferred as professor emeritus and it is only if I retire as a professor, I can be that,” he said.
He appreciated the support of the NUC staff, vice chancellors and critical stakeholders of the sector throughout his tenure in the Commission
“I appreciate your constant support throughout my days. I will take what I have learnt to the next phase of my career and what we have done towards revitalizing the universities in our country,” he said.
While speaking on the establishment of more universities in the country, the former executive secretary stated that those criticizing the establishment were either ignorant or mischievous.
He added that many of the private universities established only take a small population of the admission seekers, adding that more universities will create more access to the many admission seekers in the country.
The ex-NUC Executive Secretary while speaking on the quality of education stated that though there are challenges in the sector, he is proud of the quality of education as almost all Nigerian graduates who secure admission abroad exit with astonishing results.
“I am happy with the quality of education but there are challenges which is why we are working with stakeholders to discuss the best way to improve the quality. We are doing fairly well but will continue to improve,” he said.
He urged Mr Chris Mayaki, the former deputy executive secretary, Administration, who was taking over from him until a substantive ES is reappointed, to continue with the noble task of promoting a quality education in the tertiary sector.
Speaking while bidding the former ES farewell, the acting executive secretary, described the outgoing ES as a patriotic Nigerian and a change marker who has brought about positive impact in the sector.