By Comfort Olayinka
A Bill seeking to professionalize university administration and promote excellence in the management of Nigeria’s higher education system has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Hon. Pascal Agbodike.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (CINUPA) and for Related Matters (HB 784),” aims to create a statutory professional body that will regulate, certify, and uphold standards among university administrators across the country.
According to the lawmaker, the establishment of CINUPA will provide a legal framework for advancing professionalism, accountability, and ethical conduct in university governance.
“The Institute, when established, will ensure that only well-trained and certified professionals manage the administrative affairs of our universities. This will enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery within the higher education sector,” Agbodike said while presenting the Bill.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The proposed Institute will be incorporated as a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal. It will have the mandate to:
Promote professionalism and best practices in university administration;
Set standards for training, certification, and continuous professional development of university administrators;
Accredit and register qualified members under various categories such as Fellows, Members, and Associates;
Enforce ethical standards and discipline among members through a professional code of conduct;
Facilitate research, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange to strengthen governance and management in tertiary institutions.
A Governing Council, as outlined in the Bill, will oversee the Institute’s affairs, ensuring effective implementation of its statutory functions.
Objectives of the Bill
Hon. Agbodike emphasized that the Bill seeks to “institutionalize university administration as a recognized profession in Nigeria.” By doing so, it aims to:
- Professionalize the administrative cadre in universities;
- Improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in university governance;
- Promote capacity building and the use of technology-driven e-governance tools;
- Support Nigeria’s national education reform agenda;
- Motivate and recognize excellence among university administrators;
- Serve as an advisory body to government and policymakers on issues related to higher education management.
Self-Funded Model
Importantly, the proposed Institute will not depend on government subvention. Instead, it will generate its own revenue through membership subscriptions, registration fees, training programmes, consultancy services, and other approved sources.
A Step Toward Stronger University Governance
Hon. Agbodike described the Bill as a “timely intervention” aimed at strengthening university administration and ensuring that the management of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions aligns with global standards.
“With CINUPA, we will have an institutional framework that recognizes, regulates, and rewards professionalism in university administration — a step that will ultimately improve governance and accountability in our universities,” he stated.
Stakeholders in the education sector have lauded the initiative, describing it as a forward-thinking move toward addressing systemic inefficiencies in university management.
The Bill, currently listed as HB 784, has been read for the first time and is expected to undergo further legislative scrutiny in the coming weeks.
