University Registrars Seek Life Salaries, End to Non-Career Appointments, More Funding
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) has called for life salaries and improved retirement benefits for university registrars, an end to the appointment of non-career administrators as registrars, and increased funding for federal universities.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s 4th Annual Workshop and 79th Business Meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium in Abuja.
The week-long meeting, attended by registrars from federal, state and private universities, focused on the theme, “Nigerian Universities in the Era of Technological Transformation: Challenges, Opportunities and Pathways to Sustainable Growth.”
Among its major resolutions, ARNU urged the Federal Government to improve the welfare of registrars and bursars by introducing enhanced post-retirement benefits, including life salaries comparable to those enjoyed by professors after completing their tenure.
The association also called on the government to address what it described as inadequate funding of federal universities, warning that sustainable financing remains critical to effective university administration and quality service delivery.
ARNU further urged the Federal Government to implement outstanding arrears arising from the 35 per cent salary increase approved for non-teaching staff of federal universities with effect from January 1, 2026, following the agreement reached with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The registrars expressed concern over what they described as the increasing appointment of non-career administrators as registrars and called for stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders to preserve the professional integrity of the office.
The association also criticised the growing proliferation of unofficial titles such as Personal Assistant, First Lady and Special Assistant within Nigerian universities, describing the practice as inconsistent with established administrative structures and international best practices.
It recommended that the National Universities Commission (NUC), in collaboration with other regulatory agencies, harmonise professional cadres and official nomenclature across universities to eliminate unauthorised offices.
ARNU also opposed the appointment of academic staff to head non-academic directorates such as Academic Planning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Physical Planning, Works, Sports and other administrative units, insisting that such offices should be headed by qualified career administrators.
On governance, the association called for stronger collaboration between vice-chancellors and registrars, recommending regular consultative meetings before Governing Council and Senate sessions to improve institutional coordination and decision-making.
The communiqué stressed the need for continuous capacity building for registrars and administrative officers, noting that regular training remains essential for effective university governance, quality assurance and institutional efficiency.
The association further urged universities to accelerate the digitalisation of registry operations through comprehensive human resource management systems and to domesticate the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act in line with global best practices.
ARNU also announced plans to engage the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to take over sponsorship of its foreign educational tours as part of efforts to strengthen professional development.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting professionalism, accountability, integrity and excellence in university administration, pledging to continue engaging relevant stakeholders in advancing reforms aimed at strengthening governance across Nigeria’s university system.
The communiqué was drafted by a committee chaired by Mr. Daburi Bello Misal, Registrar of Bingham University, Abuja. Other members were Mr. Yakubu F. Ayuba, Registrar of Plateau State University, Bokkos; Dr. Musa Ajiya, Registrar of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma; Mrs. Agbebaku O. Oluwayomi, Registrar of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; and Ms. Ini Nwa, Registrar of the Nigeria French Language Village, Lagos, who served as Secretary.
The Secretariat comprised Mrs. Uso Erick Akpama and Mr. Ifeanyi Emmanuel, both of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Headquarters, Abuja, who served as Rapporteurs.
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