A group of concerned academic staff from the University of Abuja have petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, over what they describe as a “manipulated” process to install Professor Aisha Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the institution.
The petition, submitted through their counsel Muiz Banire & Associates, alleges that the university’s governing council is bending the rules to favor Maikudi, the acting VC, by relaxing the qualifications required for the position.
The university’s academic members argue that this action violates established guidelines meant to ensure that only qualified candidates are considered for such a significant position. Specifically, the guidelines stipulate that a candidate must have at least 10 years of experience as a professor.
“This petition seeks to bring attention to the clear breach of regulations and the manipulation of the process to favor a candidate who is not qualified,” the petition reads.
The controversy surrounding Maikudi’s appointment as VC began in October when SaharaReporters first reported that the university’s governing council was allegedly attempting to push through her confirmation, despite her lack of qualifications as outlined in the university’s guidelines.
Bending the Rules to Favor Maikudi?
The controversy stems from the fact that Maikudi, although recently elevated to the rank of professor, does not yet meet the 10-year requirement specified in the Federal Ministry of Education’s guidelines. The guidelines for appointing VCs, laid out in the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1993 and its amendments, clearly state that a candidate for the position of VC must have at least 10 years of experience as a professor.
However, the university’s governing council appears to have substituted this critical criterion with a much looser requirement, stating that candidates must demonstrate “ability for active teaching and research at the university level for at least ten (10) years.” Critics argue that this new standard undermines the qualifications for the prestigious role.
The petition claims that the decision to relax the qualification requirements was deliberately aimed at favoring Maikudi, who had not yet served as a professor for the stipulated 10 years. The petitioners express their concern that such actions will damage the integrity of the selection process.
Allegations of Political Influence
Sources within the university also claim that Maikudi’s potential appointment has political undercurrents. It is alleged that the previous Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, played a pivotal role in supporting Maikudi’s candidacy due to a personal debt of gratitude to her father, who was said to have helped Na’Allah secure his own appointment as VC five years ago.
This claim has fueled suspicions that the entire process is more about political favors than merit-based selection. One source described the appointment as “a political maneuver that compromises the integrity of the university.”
A Call for Intervention
The petitioners, who are senior academics from the university, have called on both the Minister of Education and the President to intervene and ensure that the appointment process follows the proper guidelines. They argue that the integrity of the university’s leadership must not be compromised by political maneuvering.
“We urge the Ministry of Education and the President to step in and ensure that the guidelines are adhered to in order to maintain the reputation of the University of Abuja and ensure that the next Vice-Chancellor is truly qualified,” the petition reads.
In the letter, the academics also pointed out that the irregularities in the selection process were not limited to Maikudi’s appointment but extended to other aspects of governance at the university. They cited concerns raised by Maikudi herself in a letter sent to the Ministry of Education, where she accused the Chairman of the university’s governing council of undermining the governance of the institution.
A History of Governance Issues
The University of Abuja has faced a series of governance challenges in recent years. These have included allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and favoritism within the administration. The petition highlights these issues, claiming that the current governance structure is destabilizing the university and undermining its academic standards.
Critics argue that such actions could have a long-lasting impact on the university’s reputation and its ability to attract qualified faculty and students.
What’s Next for the University of Abuja?
The petition has already garnered attention from various stakeholders, including lawmakers and academic associations, who are calling for a thorough investigation into the selection process. As the Minister of Education and President Tinubu review the petition, the University of Abuja community waits to see if the concerns will be addressed.
With the future of the institution’s leadership hanging in the balance, it is clear that the pressure is mounting for the government to act swiftly to ensure that the appointment process is fair, transparent, and in line with established regulations.
“We are calling on the relevant authorities to uphold the integrity of our academic institutions. This matter is bigger than just one person; it is about the future of our educational system,” the petition concludes.
