UniAbuja VC crisis: 43 aggrieved profs write Tinubu, insist on ‘dissolution of governing council’

A total of 43 professors at the University of Abuja have written to President Bola Tinubu declaring their opposition to the emergence of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the institution’s vice-chancellor.

They accused the school’s governing council of breaching the relevant university’s law to foist Maikudi, whom they said, was unqualified to hold the position, on them.

To this effect, the professors demanded an immediate dissolution of the council, nullification of the council’s decision as well as the reconstitution of a new governing council to undertake a new appointment process.

In a petition to the president, dated January 2, 2025, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the aggrieved professors urged Tinubu to nullify all decisions taken by the current council, insisting that inability to act, could become a guiding principle in other universities across the country.

In the petition, titled: “Complaint regarding the manipulation of Vice Chancellor appointment processes at the University of Abuja’”, the aggrieved passed a vote of no confidence on the university’s governing council.

Recall that Prof. Maikudi was on December 31st declared as the substantive V-C of the institution by the Kaita-led Council.

“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, favouritism, 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 aggrieved professors said in the petition.

In the petition, the aggrieved professors alleged that important guidelines for the vice-chancellor position, such as a minimum of 10 years of professorial experience, were flouted
in the advertisement for the post of Vice-Chancellor published in newspapers in August 2024.

According to the aggrieved professors, Prof. Maikudi has only two years of experience as a professor. They noted that she 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.

The petition further read:”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 re-constituted 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 Nigenans 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 professors who signed the petition are: Prof. 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, and Prof. Ndana R.W.

Others are 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;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.0, Prof. Simon M.K, Prof. M.U Ndagi among others.

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