The last has yet to be heard about the appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), as 43 professors at the institution have asked President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retd)-led Governing Council of the university.
This comes as the professors sent a strong delegation to meet with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday to register their grievances.
In a petition seen by The Guardian, dated January 2, 2025, and sent to the Visitor of the institution, President Tinubu, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, they urged Tinubu to nullify all decisions taken by the current council, warning that failure to act would set a dangerous precedent for other universities.
Titled ‘Complaint Regarding the Manipulation of Vice Chancellor Appointment Processes at the University of Abuja’, they passed a vote of no confidence on the Council and called for the reconstitution of a new one.
The dons accused the Governing Council of manipulating the selection process in favor of Prof. Maikudi.
Recall that Prof. Maikudi was declared the substantive V-C of the institution by the Kaita-led Council on December 31st.
But in the petition, the professors said, “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.”
The petition also claimed that key criteria for the Vice-Chancellor position, such as a minimum of 10 years of professorial experience, were allegedly disregarded in the advertisement for the post of Vice-Chancellor published in newspapers in August 2024.
They argued that the Vice-Chancellor had only two years of experience as a professor, lacked scholarly visibility, and had weak academic credentials.
They also condemned the inclusion of a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education and a businesswoman on the Council, insisting that they lacked the expertise required to uphold quality assurance in higher education governance.
“We have lost total faith and confidence in the Governing Council as they have exhibited a lack of integrity and competence, and inability to be fair and just in producing the best and most qualified Vice-Chancellor for the University.
“We thus urge you to take immediate corrective action to restore the integrity of the process by getting the Governing Council dissolved and reconstituted so that a fresh and free process of Vice-Chancellorship appointment will be conducted. This will additionally go a long way in once again demonstrating to Nigerians the sincerity of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Mr. President Sir, failure to address these concerns could have far-reaching consequences for the University and the higher education system in Nigeria, as other Governing Councils will gladly emulate this ugly and unfortunate path taken by the University of Abuja Governing Council,” the petition read.
The petitioners, who are also members of the University Senate, include: Professor Olanrewaju Aladeitan, Prof. Umaru Muhammed, Prof. Mabel 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, Prof. Philip Akpen, Prof. Rosemary Udeozor, Prof. Otaki Alananan, and Prof. Simon Abochol.
Others are Prof. Saleh Dauda, Prof. Muhammed A. Katcha, Prof. J.O. Ogedengbe, Prof. Aisuodionoe-Shadrach O.T., Prof. Sani Saka, Prof. Yusufu 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, among others.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the meeting, which held at the Minister’s office in Abuja, was convened following a previous written request by the aggrieved professors.
Details of the meeting were sketchy as of the time of filing this report.(Guardian)
