A group of Professors and Senate members of the University of Abuja on Tuesday staged a protest at the Ministry of Education Abuja over the appointment of the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive vice-chancellor of the institution.
The protesting Senate members urged President Tinubu to take prompt action to address the issues plaguing the university.
The University of Abuja’s Senate members, consisting of 43 professors and academic doctors, have petitioned President Bola Tinubu, expressing their complete loss of faith and confidence in the Governing Council.
A petition, dated January 2, 2025, highlights the council’s lack of integrity, competence, and fairness in selecting the most qualified vice chancellor for the university.
This move comes after the Senate passed a vote of no confidence on the Governing Council on December 31, 2024, citing manipulation of the vice-chancellor appointment process and breach of university laws,
They urged the minister to dissolve the Governing Council, declare its proceedings null and void, and reconstitute a new council to oversee a fresh and fair appointment process.
The protesters called on the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to dissolve the council and reverse the controversial appointment of Maikudi as the substantive VC.
The protestors asked why the minister was slow to act against the “illegal appointment” of the VC of the University of Abuja, but was quick to intervene when a similar crisis followed the appointment of a VC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) in Anambra State.Meanwhile, the Senate members in the petition to the President through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), appealed for immediate corrective action.
According to them, dissolving the Governing Council and reconstituting a new one will restore the integrity of the process and ensure a fresh process through which the best candidate can emerge.
“This will additionally go a long way in once again demonstrating to Nigerians the sincerity of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the petition said.In the letter titled: “Complaint regarding the manipulation of Vice Chancellor appointment processes at the University of Abuja,” signed by 43 Senate members, the dons enumerated the “flaws and impunity” displayed by the Governing Council led by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita in the VC appointment.
The Senate members stated: “We feel compelled to bring to your attention our concerns regarding the gross irregularities, blatant disregard for due process, violations of relevant laws and regulations, favoritism, abuse of privileges, undue interference, and lack of fairness that marred the selection process for the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Abuja.
“These lapses culminated in the unfortunate declaration of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor. Such events not only undermine the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President but also risk setting a dangerous precedent for other Governing Councils in appointing Vice-Chancellors across Nigerian universities.”
While expressing their trust in President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring justice and fairness in the country’s educational institutions, the lecturers pointed out central issues which they said undermine the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the process that led to the declaration of Professor Maikudi as a substantive VC of the school on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Among them are “improper composition of the Governing Council, incompetence of Ministry of Education representative and violations of ministry’s guidelines on Governing Council membership, gross violations of guidelines on qualifications for the post and non-qualification of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi for the position of Vice Chancellor”.
Others are “use of security forces for intimidation. undemocratic senate proceedings, distortion of the composition of the joint council and senate selection team, overreach by ad-hoc committees, and accelerated and flawed screening process.”
The petition read, “These issues indicate the insensitivity, brutal attack on and disregard for laws and procedures, and gross determination that led to the declaration of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi from Acting Vice Chancellor into a substantive one by the Governing Council, undermine the credibility of the appointment process and the principles of fairness, equity, and merit that should guide the selection of a Vice-Chancellor. Very much against the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.
“They also jeopardize the reputation and autonomy of the University of Abuja as an academic institution of excellence.”
The 43 Senate members who signed the letter include Prof. Olanrewaju Aladeitan, Prof. Umaru D. Muhammed, Prof. Mabel I.E Evwiohana, Prof. Jude Omeje, Prof. Effiok Bassey Uwatt, Prof. Ifeoma Echezona, Prof. S.A.J Obansa, Dr. Yekeen Abdulmalik, Prof. F. N Ogwueleka, Prof. M.O Durojaye, Prof. Ndana R.W, Prof. W.D Nafarnda, Prof. O.F Ajagbona, Prof. Yusuf Ahmadu, Prof. Yau Muhammed Damagum, Prof. Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman and Prof. Philip Akpen.
Others include Prof. Rosemary Udeozor, Prof. Otaki Alananan, Prof. Simon Abochol, Prof. Saleh Dauda, Prof. Muhammed A. Katcha, Prof. J.O Ogedendenge, Prof. Aisuodionoe-Shadrach O.I, Prof. Sani Saka, Prof. Yusuf Zoaka, Prof. Muktar A. Muhammed, Prof. J.J. Ndana, Prof. Nkiruka C. Odoh, Prof. Ejeikwu E.O., Prof. Simon M.K, Prof. M.U. Ndagi, Prof. Obida Gobna, Prof. Shimawua Atimga, and Dr. Sylvester S.
Others are Prof. C.B.I Alaw, Prof. A. M Maisamari, Prof. I.C. Nnadi, Prof. G.M Oladele, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Prof. James Ojobo, Prof. Magdalene Igbolo and Prof. Ishaya M. Dagwa.
