By Peter Jatau
Abuja – The House of Representatives has begun deliberations on a bill seeking to establish the Chartered Institute of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (CINUPA), a statutory body that will regulate and promote professionalism in the management of the nation’s universities.
The bill, tagged HB 784, was sponsored by Hon. Pascal Agbodike (Ihiala Federal Constituency, Anambra State). Presenting the bill at the National Assembly, Agbodike explained that the proposed institute would provide legal backing for the training, certification, and regulation of university administrators across Nigeria.
The House, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, held a public hearing on the legislation, which attracted stakeholders from academia, administration, and education policy sectors. The session was chaired by Hon. Ahmed Munir (Lere Federal Constituency, Kaduna State), who also heads the House Committee on Commerce.
Munir assured participants that all constructive recommendations would be incorporated before the committee presents its report to the House for further consideration.
What the Bill Seeks to Achieve
According to its provisions, CINUPA will be established as a corporate entity with perpetual succession and a common seal. The institute will regulate the practice, training, and certification of professional administrators in Nigerian universities.
Its objectives include:
- Promoting professionalism, ethical standards, and best practices in university governance.
- Establishing standards for training, certification, and continuous professional development.
- Maintaining a professional register of qualified members, including fellows, members, and associates.
- Enforcing discipline and ethical conduct among practitioners.
- Supporting research, policy advocacy, and institutional governance.
- Facilitating capacity building and adoption of e-governance in higher institutions.
The bill also outlines the creation of a governing council to oversee the institute’s affairs. Importantly, CINUPA will be self-funded, drawing revenue from membership subscriptions, registration fees, consultancy, and training programmes — ensuring no financial burden on government resources.
Stakeholders Applaud Initiative
Dr. Victor Bem, National President of the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA), described the bill as a milestone.
“This bill is very significant because without administrative competence, there can be no academic excellence. It seeks to take university administration to the next level,” Bem said.
He noted that concerns raised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) were constructive, clarifying that CINUPA’s mandate is to certify administrators, not regulate academic degrees.
Dr. Bala Ahmed II, Registrar of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and National Chairman of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), also threw his weight behind the bill, urging lawmakers to ensure its speedy passage.
“This bill will equip our administrators for global best practices and ensure effective service delivery in Nigerian universities,” Ahmed said.
ANUPA’s National PRO, Onyinye Ralph-Nwachukwu, stressed that the NUC’s contributions were not opposition but part of regulatory oversight.
“The public hearing has helped to straighten out the few grey areas, and we are good to go,” she said, expressing optimism about the bill’s smooth passage.
A New Dawn for University Administration
If enacted, the CINUPA Bill will institutionalize university administration as a recognized profession in Nigeria. It will strengthen accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the governance of higher education institutions, aligning university management with international standards and enhancing the quality of service delivery in Nigerian universities.
