Oronsaye Report Sparks Debate: Olowu Urges President Tinubu Against Nigerian Army University-NDA Merger”

The Olowu of Owu-Kuta Kingdom, Oba Dr Hameed Adekunle Makama, Tegbosun iii, has passionately appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the proposed merger of th e Nigerian Army University with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), as recommended in the Steve Oronsaye report.

Expressing his concerns, Oba Makama emphasised that the Nigerian Army University in Biu stands as a distinct federal institution, offering a wide range of courses unlike the specialised curriculum of the NDA.

He underscored the significance of the University’s establishment by an Act of Parliament, highlighting the legal complexities involved in any attempt to reverse its status without parliamentary approval.

“Merge NUB with NDA means the federal government is Ready to merge every Federal universities created by act of Parliament,” Oba Makama asserted.

Furthermore, the monarch emphasised the crucial role played by the Nigerian Army University in providing accessible higher education opportunities to students in the northeastern region.

He cautioned that merging it with the NDA could potentially diminish its academic focus, relegating it to a mere military training institution.

While commending President Tinubu’s commitment to civil service reform aimed at reducing governance costs, Oba Makama urged for thorough consultations before implementing such significant changes.

 He noted the absence of the Nigerian Army University during the Oronsaye panel’s deliberations, suggesting that its inclusion in the merger proposal might have been avoided with broader consultation.

 Oba Makama extended his prayers for President Tinubu’s guidance and protection as he navigates through the complexities of governance.

The appeal from the Olowu of Kuta adds a significant voice to the ongoing debate surrounding the implementation of the Oronsaye report and its potential implications for higher education in Nigeria.