● Cites alleged manipulations of process, breach of University laws
The University of Abuja’s Senate members have passed a vote of no confidence in the Governing Council, citing alleged manipulation of the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment process and breach of university laws.
In a letter to the Minister of Education, dated December 27 and signed by 43 Senate members, they expressed their loss of faith in the Governing Council’s ability to appoint a qualified VC.
In the letter, they urged the Minister to dissolve the Governing Council, declare their proceedings null and void, and reconstitute a new council to oversee a fresh and fair appointment process.
Entitled, “Complaint regarding the manipulation of Vice Chancellor appointment processes at the University of Abuja,” they warned that failure to address their concerns could have far-reaching consequences for the university and Nigeria’s higher education system.
Interestingly, the development comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by six senior lecturers against the university’s Vice Chancellor, on the grounds that the suit was statute-barred.
The court’s decision may have paved the way for the Senate members to take a stand against the Governing Council’s actions.
“Thus, we urge you to take immediate corrective action to restore the integrity of the process by dissolving the Governing Council, declare their proceedings null and void, reconstitute a new Governing Council to superintend fresh and free process that will lead to the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the University of Abuja.
“Failure to address our concerns will 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.”
At the heart of the issue is the alleged attempt by the acting VC and some others to manipulate the selection process.
In a move that sparked outrage, the acting VC had scheduled a meeting last Tuesday at 9am to replace Senate members on the joint selection board who refused to endorse a rigged selection process.
The university has been plagued by accusations of improper procedures and favoritism in the selection process, with sources alleging that the acting VC, Aisha Maikudi, is being imposed on the institution despite not meeting the initial criteria for the position.
According to sources, the move is seen as a desperate attempt to impose Prof. Maikudi as the VC, taking advantage of the holiday season when many Senate members are away.
Drama, however, unfolded at the University when a meeting scheduled for 9 am was pushed back to 11:30 am, leaving members waiting patiently.
Just as they were expecting the meeting to start, Prof. Afaha, the DVC Admin, arrived at 12:03 pm to deliver an apology from the Acting VC, according to a report by SaharaReporters.
The apology stated that the meeting had to be suspended at the request of the Council Chairman to allow for further consultation.
However, the Senate members were having none of it – they were incensed and shouted at Afaha to leave, refusing to accept the apology.
The scene was apparently unpleasant, with Afaha making a swift exit. In response, the members decided to hold their own meeting to come up with a resolution, which would then be forwarded to the Council Chairman.
However, while they were in the meeting deliberating that over 30 local security allegedly sent by the acting VC stormed the Senate Chamber and manhandle and chased them out from the chamber.
However the Senate in the letter to the Minister decried the assault, noting that their petition was to formally bring to his attention a series of grave irregularities and manipulations observed in the ongoing processes for appointing the VC.
The Senate maintained that the issues undermine the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the process, adding that the succession crisis at the University of Abuja stems from the improper composition of its Governing Council and gross violations of guidelines for appointing a VC.
Providing a detailed background, the 43 members of the University Senate in the letter stated, “following the Federal Government’s dissolution of university Governing Councils on 19th June 2023, the out-gone Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah, initiated the appointment process prematurely, bypassing statutory requirements.
“When the Governing Councils were reconstituted in July 2024, internal members loyal to Prof. Na’Allah were handpicked during a strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), further undermining duc process. The Council’s flawed composition excluded credible academic representation, appointing instead a Federal Ministry of Education official and a businesswoman with limited expertise.
“This compromised the quality assurance of the selection process, paving the way for favoritism. The guidelines requiring a minimum of 10 years of post-professorial experience and strong scholarly credentials were deliberately ignored, allegedly to favour the Acting Vice Chancellor, who lacks the requisite experience.
“Additionally, the Governing Council usurped the role of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board by reviewing applications and a scoring criteria that favour a preferred candidate a situation that clearly violates the Universities’ Miscellaneous Act. Protesting these irregularities, Senate representatives staged a walkout, highlighting the flawed and biased nature of the process.
“On December 24, 2024, a Senate meeting convened by Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi was scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM at the University Library Complex. However, members were kept waiting outside for two hours as the Senate Chambers remained locked. During this time, members observed armed vigilante personnel strategically deployed around the premises.
“When the Chambers finally opened, the meeting was delayed until 12:10 PM, when Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Philip Afaha, announced the suspension of the senate meeting by the Pro-Chancellor. Frustrated by this development, the Senate invoked its statutory powers to proceed with the meeting, chaired by former Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammed Katcha. They adopted and discussed the agenda, and Senate reaffirms its confidence in their elected representatives to the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board.”
The session, the senators regretted concluded abruptly when vigilante personnel stormed the Chambers, “physically assaulted members of senate, upturned tables, hurled chairs and seized phones”.
“On December 27, 2024, ASUU convened to discuss these issues. During a subsequent Senate meeting, Acting Vice Chancellor Maikudi interrupted deliberations on a report by Selection Board member Prof. Rosemary Udeozor and abruptly ended the meeting after unilaterally nominating a replacement for another board member. In response, the Senate resolved not to attend further meetings called by Prof. Maikudi unless she publicly apologizes and commits to professional conduct for her remaining tenure.
“These incidents highlight escalating tensions and the need for urgent intervention to restore order,” the Senate noted.
The Senate maintained that the deliberate irregularities currently witnessed in the University clearly indicate the insensitivity, brutal attack on and disregard for laws and procedures, and gross determination by the Governing Council to ensure that the Acting Vice Chancellor succeed herself at all cost.
“This situation undermines the credibility of the appointment process and the principles of fairness, equity, and merit that should guide the selection of a Vice Chancellor.
“The flawed process 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 are: “Professor 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 are: “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, Dr. Sylvester S.
“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
Recall that on December 24, 2024, a tense scene unfolded at the University of Abuja when the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, allegedly deployed over 30 local vigilantes to disrupt a Senate meeting, allegedly assaulting professors in the process.
It had also been reported that professors at the university staged a protest earlier before the meeting against the selection process for the new VC, sparking a heated controversy within the institution.
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