The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has denounced a petition challenging the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani-Maikudi as Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, describing it as baseless and irrelevant.
The petition, reportedly addressed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, alleged that Professor Sani-Maikudi’s appointment violated federal guidelines, specifically questioning her tenure as a professor. It argued that her years of professorship were insufficient to qualify her for the Vice Chancellor position.
However, during a press briefing in Abuja, UNYF’s National Deputy President, Comrade Oluwafemi Idowu Shoroye, dismissed the claims as unfounded and unsupported by Nigerian law. He clarified that the country’s legal framework does not stipulate a minimum tenure of professorship as a criterion for appointment to the Vice Chancellor position.
UNYF Refutes Tenure Requirement Claim
“There is no legal framework in Nigeria that stipulates a professor must have a certain number of years of experience before being eligible for appointment as vice chancellor,” Shoroye stated. He emphasized that the qualifications and leadership capabilities of the candidate should be the primary considerations for such appointments, not arbitrary tenure requirements.
UNYF backed its position by citing precedents from other universities, highlighting instances where vice chancellors with shorter professorial tenures were successfully appointed.
Citing Precedents
Shoroye pointed to the example of Dr. Laraba Gambo Abdullahi, who was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja despite holding only a PhD at the time. He also referenced Professor Attahiru Jega, former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano and a PhD holder, who served in the role without having an extended tenure as a professor.
Additionally, the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri was appointed just two years after attaining professorial rank.
“These cases clearly demonstrate that the tenure of professorship is not a rigid criterion for the Vice Chancellor position,” Shoroye said, adding that similar precedents further validate Professor Sani-Maikudi’s eligibility.
Advocacy for Confirmation
The UNYF called for the immediate nomination and confirmation of Professor Sani-Maikudi, underscoring her qualifications, leadership potential, and readiness to steer the University of Abuja towards academic excellence.
“Professor Sani-Maikudi is well-prepared to lead the University of Abuja towards progress and academic excellence,” Shoroye affirmed. “Attempts to undermine her appointment based on outdated and baseless criteria should be dismissed outright.”
A Call for Progress
The UNYF urged stakeholders and policymakers to focus on competence and capacity in the selection of academic leaders, rather than outdated or arbitrary standards. The group reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair processes in the appointment of educational leaders, who play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s academic and intellectual growth.
As the controversy unfolds, Professor Sani-Maikudi continues to receive widespread support from various groups, who believe her appointment signifies a step towards inclusive and merit-based leadership in Nigerian academia.
