By Mercy Gadia Adi
The House of Representatives has commenced deliberations on a Bill seeking to establish the Chartered Institute of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (CINUPA), a statutory body aimed at promoting professionalism, ethical standards, and efficiency in university administration across the country.
The Bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Chartered Institute of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (CINUPA) and for Related Matters (HB 784),” was sponsored by Hon. Pascal Agbodike.
Presenting the Bill on the floor of the House, Hon. Agbodike said the proposed institute would serve as a regulatory and professional body responsible for training, certifying, and monitoring the practice of university administrators in Nigeria.
According to him, the establishment of CINUPA will help institutionalize university administration as a recognized profession, ensuring that those who manage Nigerian universities meet globally accepted standards of competence and ethics.
“The Bill seeks to promote excellence, professionalism, and ethical standards in university administration across Nigeria. It will ensure that the management of our higher institutions is handled by qualified, certified, and well-trained administrators,” he said.
The proposed institute is expected to operate as a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal, empowered to set standards for training, certification, and continuous professional development of university administrators. It will also maintain a professional register of Fellows, Members, and Associates, while enforcing discipline and ethical conduct among practitioners.
The Bill further provides for the establishment of a Governing Council to oversee the affairs of the Institute, facilitate research and policy advocacy, and promote knowledge exchange to enhance governance within the higher education sector.
Agbodike outlined key objectives of the Bill to include professionalizing university administration, enhancing efficiency and accountability, promoting capacity building and e-governance, and supporting national educational goals through competent leadership in the university system.
He added that the proposed institute would be self-funded through membership subscriptions, registration fees, training programmes, and consultancy services, thereby placing no financial burden on the federal government.
Hon. Agbodike urged his colleagues to support the passage of the Bill, noting that it would strengthen higher education governance in Nigeria and align it with international best practices.
If passed into law, the Chartered Institute of Nigerian University Professional Administrators is expected to play a vital role in transforming administrative leadership across Nigerian universities, fostering transparency, innovation, and professionalism in the higher education system.