Registrars as linchpin of university administration

Recently, the Registrars of Nigerian Universities gathered  at the  Michael Okpara University of Agriculture(MOUAU), Umudike,Umuahia to brainstorm on the way forward inn this economic trying times. The gathering was specifically to find ways of tackling the challenges facing university Registrars in Nigeria.  Welcoming the delegates, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Francis Ogbonnaya Otuna noted that never before in the 23-year-old history of the institution had such gathering of university administrative officers being recorded.  He said,” I will like to assure you that your decision to hold your business meeting here is an honour to me in particular because I now hold the record of being the first of the five Vice-Chancellors to host Registrars of Nigerian Universities as a group. The saying that “success is does not come by accident but with hard work, perseverance, learning, sacrifice and most of all, love holds true with your presence”.
It is true that Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike is a comparatively young Institution. However and despite the limitations and challenges posed by dearth of infrastructural facilities, the university wears prides itself as a place of academic excellence and disciplined students.
The law establishing the Universities provide that: (a) “there shall be a Registrar who shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the University and shall be responsible to the Vice- Chancellor for the day- to- day administrative work of the University except as regards matters for which the Bursar is responsible”.
Second, “the person holding the office of Registrar shall by virtue of that office, be Secretary to Council, the Senate, Congregation and convocation”. Following this provision, Prof. Otuna, explained that the Registrar is not only the University’s Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary to the Council, Senate, Congregation and Convocation but serves as Secretary of Committees, Adviser to the Chief Executive Officer, Crisis Manager, Keeper of Records and liaison between the University and its various publics.
There is no doubting that the duties and functions of a Registrar are enormous. No wonder it has become imperative that only persons that are well grounded can be appointed as Registrars. Moreover, a  Registrar has a duty to assist the university  Vice-Chancellor to succeed through quality advise.
In his own speech, the Registrar of the university, Dr Azubuike C. Nwokocha, noted that the retreat could not have come at a better time, especially as the institution is now under a new helmsman in the person of Prof. Ogbonnaya Otunta. Dr. Nwokocha noted that the theme of the retreat “Rebranding the University Registry from Glory to Greatness” was appropriate considering the intention to think of ways to ensure that a Registrar retires when he or she is still fit to be useful to the community and society in other ways.
According to the Registrar, the introduction of the Directorate System in higher Institutions, especially in the country’s first generation universities was designed to reduce the pressure on Registrars. Happily, such format has since been adopted by other government, state and private owned universities. Under the system, the Registrar is given some latitude to concentrate on policy matters and provide the Vice-Chancellor with more effective support, while the Directors are required to handle administrative matters without regular reference to the Registrar.
The Keynote address delivered by Dr Charles O. Omeire, concluded that rebranding is a good idea and a good brand is in the customers’ interest.  He lamented that the Registry is in dire need of rebranding just like the Universities.
The former registrar added that it is at the registry that problems are solved and creativity is given free rein. According to him, the Registrar provides inspirational leadership and champion’s human capital development to move the university to greater heights academically.
According to him, it was his expectation that the thoughts expressed in the topic and the ideas propounded in his keynote address would not end up as mere theoretical propositions and should therefore serve as food for thought and pedestal for improving the registry of their various universities.

Aside the rigours associated with the conference the retreat afforded the delegates the opportunity to  the visit the War Museum and ‘Ojukwu Bunker’ as well as the popular Ariaria Market in Aba which was about 45 minutes drive from Umuahia, the capital City. It is important to note that the university was named after Dr. Michael Okpara, Premier of the former Eastern Nigeria.

Mr. Ben Ngwakwe wrote from Gombe