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Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Forum of Governing Councils of Nigerian Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (FOGOCOM) has reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Chairman of FOGOCOM, Chief Akin-Thomas Babajide, said the forum would mobilise its members across the country to support the administration and the party, while urging members to participate actively in grassroots political mobilisation.

Babajide disclosed that the forum would provide mandate forms to members to document results from their respective polling units and return them through designated channels.

He also called on the APC Presidential Campaign Council to establish a dedicated directorate or subcommittee for governing council members, saying this would provide a structured platform for their participation in the campaign.

He further pledged that FOGOCOM would provide a campaign bus to support its mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented at the conference, highlighted the critical role of governing councils in strengthening accountability, oversight and sustainability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

Alausa said governing councils must ensure that public resources entrusted to tertiary institutions produce measurable public value, while strengthening institutional governance and quality assurance.

He noted that the Federal Government was investing in expanding access to education, skills development and tertiary education through initiatives including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), TETFund and the expansion of technical and vocational education.

The minister also urged institutions to make effective use of data and technology to improve planning, administration and service delivery.

Speaking at the FOGOCOM 2026 conference, the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, urged members to take the achievements of the Tinubu administration to their communities and polling units.

Faleke highlighted the administration’s education policies, including the student loan scheme and support for technical education, and urged members to remain active at the grassroots.

“Have it in your mind that you will deliver your polling unit,” he told the participants.

Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, also called for greater participation and inclusiveness, describing Nigeria’s diversity as an advantage that should be harnessed for national development.

Ganduje urged members to participate actively in mobilising support for the APC and take the party’s message to the grassroots.

He said the participation of governing council members from different parts of the country demonstrated integration, unity and consensus, while describing the APC as the largest political party in Africa.

Ganduje also highlighted challenges in the education sector, including access, affordability and sustainability, and pointed to student loans, skills development and entrepreneurship as areas requiring sustained attention.

The conference brought together members of governing councils of tertiary institutions, representatives of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), political stakeholders and other participants to discuss education, governance and national development.