43 Professors Demand Dissolution of UNIABUJA Governing Council

A group of 43 professors from the University of Abuja has urged President Bola Tinubu to disband the governing council of the university, led by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita, citing alleged manipulation in the selection process for the vice-chancellor position.

The professors recently sent a strong delegation to meet with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to formally express their concerns. In a petition dated January 2, 2025, addressed to the president through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the professors called on Tinubu to annul all decisions made by the council, warning that inaction would set a dangerous precedent for other universities.

The petition, titled “Complaint regarding the manipulation of Vice-Chancellor appointment processes at the University of Abuja,” includes a vote of no confidence in the council and demands the reconstitution of a new governing body.

The professors accuse the council of manipulating the selection process in favor of Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, who was appointed the substantive vice-chancellor of the university by the Kaita-led council on December 31.

In their petition, the professors 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.”

They argued that these actions not only undermine the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the president but also risk establishing a harmful precedent for other governing councils in the appointment of vice-chancellors at Nigerian universities.

The petition also pointed out that essential qualifications for the vice-chancellor position, such as a minimum of 10 years of professorial experience, were overlooked when the advertisement for the position was published in August 2024.

The professors contended that the appointed vice-chancellor only had two years of experience as a professor, lacked scholarly recognition, and had weak academic credentials. They also criticized the inclusion of a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education and a businesswoman on the council, arguing that they lacked the necessary expertise to ensure quality governance in higher education.

“We have lost total faith and confidence in the governing council as they have exhibited lack of integrity and competence, and inability to be fair and just in producing the best and most qualified vice chancellor for the university.”

The professors further urged the president to take immediate corrective action by dissolving the current governing council and establishing a new one, to facilitate a fresh and transparent process for selecting the vice chancellor. They believe this action would further demonstrate the sincerity of the president’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”