'We made VCs returning officers for their integrity’ — Jega

Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities were appointed Vice Chancellors in the 2015 General elections because of their proven integrity, says the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Jega made this known in Abuja at a dinner organized in his honor by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) last Thursday.

He said the Commission appointed the university heads based on the belief that they were people with track record of credibility.

“We were looking for people with integrity; and we have no doubt that there are many people with integrity in the Nigerian university system," Jega said.

“So, it is like a ready-made constituency to get the kind of people we needed for the job to be done."

He said it was believed that an officer at the level of a Vice Chancellor would not be easily compromised.

READ: Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega - Academic profile of Jega, the 'Hero of Nigeria's Democracy'

"We know that anybody who has risen in the system to become a vice-chancellor will not for anything damage his or her reputation by pandering to the wishes of politicians.”

He revealed that he intends to return to the academia on completion of his tenure.

AVCNU Chairman, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, commended jega for conducting the election credibly and with dignity.

“I thank also all the vice-chancellors that helped Jega in performing a national task that gave so much credibility to the last elections," Ajienka said.

The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe, was the Chairman of the occasion.

Jega was presented with a life-sized portrait of himself and several souvenirs.