The Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) has urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the outstanding arrears arising from the 35 per cent salary increase approved for non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities, warning that the agreement reached with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) must be fully honoured.

The call formed part of the recommendations reached at the end of ARNU’s 4th Annual Workshop and 79th Business Meeting, held from July 6 to 10 at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium in Abuja, where registrars from federal, state and private universities deliberated on the future of university administration in the era of technological transformation.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read by the Registrar, Bingham University and Chairman of Communique Committee, Daburi Bello Misal, the association said: “ARNU noted the signing of agreement between Federal Government and SSANU and urged the Government to ensure the implementation of the outstanding arrears arising from the 35% salary increment approved for non-teaching staff of Nigerian Universities with effect from 1st January 2026.”

The registrars also opposed the appointment of non-career administrators as university registrars and called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory agencies to standardise professional cadres and eliminate what they described as irregular offices within the Nigerian University System.

According to the communiqué, “The National Universities Commission (NUC), in collaboration with other relevant regulatory bodies, should harmonize professional cadres and nomenclature across Nigerian Universities to eliminate irregular and unauthorized offices created outside the approved career structure,” adding that “ARNU should collaborate with other relevant stakeholders to discourage the appointment of non-career administrators as Registrars.”

The association frowned on the proliferation of unofficial titles such as Personal Assistants, First Ladies and Special Assistants in universities, describing them as inconsistent with established career structures and global best practices.

It also Insisted that academic staff should no longer be appointed to head non-academic directorates, including Academic Planning, ICT, Sports, Works and Physical Planning, in order to preserve the integrity of the professional administrative cadre.

ARNU further demanded improved welfare for retiring registrars and bursars, urging government and university authorities to establish an enhanced post-retirement welfare framework, including sustainable retirement benefits and life salaries comparable to those enjoyed by retired professors.

The registrars equally urged the Federal Government to address the persistent underfunding of federal universities, while calling on institutions to fully digitise registry operations through integrated human resource systems and domesticate data protection policies in line with the Nigerian Data Protection Act.

The communiqué also reaffirmed that the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar remain the administrative backbone of every university, stressing that institutional excellence depends on “disciplined implementation, effective leadership, accountability, professionalism and continuous capacity development” rather than the mere existence of policies.

ARNU also expressed concern over what it described as the growing exclusion of registrars from carrying out their statutory responsibilities, particularly in the selection of principal officers in some universities. The association maintained that sidelining chief administrative officers in critical governance processes weakens institutional administration and undermines established university governance structures.

The registrars further called for stronger collaboration between vice-chancellors and registrars, urging principal officers to hold regular consultative meetings ahead of Governing Council and Senate sessions.

According to the communiqué, such engagements would enhance coordination, improve decision-making and enable universities to proactively manage institutional risks.

On capacity development, the association underscored the need for continuous training and retraining of registrars and other administrative officers, saying regular professional development programmes are essential to improving service delivery, strengthening quality assurance and promoting effective governance across Nigerian universities.

It also urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to assume responsibility for sponsoring ARNU’s foreign educational tours to expose members to global best practices in university administration.

The workshop concluded by reaffirming ARNU’s commitment to professionalism, integrity, accountability and excellence in university administration. The association pledged to sustain engagement with government, the National Universities Commission and other stakeholders in advancing reforms that would strengthen governance, improve administrative leadership and position Nigerian universities for sustainable growth in an increasingly technology-driven higher education landscape. (The Guardian)

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