The ongoing selection process for the substantive Vice-Chancellor at the University of Abuja has sparked serious concerns among academic staff, who have petitioned the Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, over alleged irregularities and breaches of established guidelines.
The petition, also addressed to President Bola Tinubu and key members of the National Assembly, alleges that the university’s governing council has manipulated the process to favour Professor Aisha Maikudi, the current acting vice-chancellor.
Alleged Relaxation of Qualification Standards
At the heart of the controversy is the claim that the university’s governing council has intentionally relaxed the qualifications for the VC position to facilitate Maikudi’s appointment. According to the Federal Ministry of Education’s established guidelines, candidates for the VC position must be professors with at least 10 years of academic experience.
However, the advertorial published by the university on August 26, 2024, allegedly replaced this requirement with a less stringent one: candidates only need to demonstrate 10 years of active teaching and research experience at the university level. Critics argue that this shift in qualifications was deliberately designed to favour Maikudi, who has not yet been a professor for the required 10 years.
Political Influence and Alleged Nepotism
The petition also raises concerns about possible political influence in the selection process. Sources suggest that the university’s former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, is behind efforts to install Maikudi as his successor.
Allegedly, Na’Allah is motivated by a desire to repay a favour to Maikudi’s father, who helped him secure the VC position five years ago despite opposition. The academic staff argue that this political manoeuvre undermines the principles of fairness and merit in the selection process.
Maikudi’s Own Concerns Over Governance Issues
In a separate development, Professor Maikudi has raised alarm over governance issues within the university. In a letter dated November 6, 2024, addressed to the Minister of Education, Maikudi highlighted actions taken under the leadership of the university’s Council Chairman, Kaita, which she claimed could negatively affect the institution’s stability and progress.
The letter, sent through the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), points to governance lapses and the potential risks they pose to the university’s future.
Petition for Enforcement of Qualification Guidelines
In response to the ongoing situation, concerned academic staff members have submitted a formal petition dated November 22, 2024, calling for the enforcement of the Federal Ministry of Education’s guidelines in the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor.
The petition criticises the Governing Council’s advertorial for omitting the crucial requirement of 10 years as a professor instead of substituting it with the ambiguous criterion of “active teaching and research.” The petitioners argue that this change undermines the integrity of the selection process and could potentially lead to the appointment of an unqualified candidate.
The petitioners are urging the Minister to intervene and ensure that the selection process adheres to the established guidelines, thereby ensuring fairness and transparency in appointing the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja.
Conclusion
As the controversy surrounding the VC appointment unfolds, the involvement of the Ministry of Education, the Presidency, and the National Assembly is crucial in upholding the principles of merit, fairness, and transparency in Nigerian university governance. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for future appointments in the country’s academic institutions.
