The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has been thrown into a storm of controversy and violence following a chaotic incident at a Senate meeting earlier this week, allegedly orchestrated by the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi. The incident, which saw over 30 vigilantes allegedly deployed to disrupt the meeting and assault professors, has sparked outrage within the university and beyond.
This latest drama follows an ongoing dispute over the selection process for the next Vice Chancellor. Since Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah’s resignation on July 1, 2024, the university has faced mounting tensions as the search for his successor has been marred by accusations of irregularities and attempts to manipulate the process. Allegations have swirled around Prof. Maikudi’s appointment as acting VC, with many questioning whether she meets the necessary criteria for the position.
A Provocative Appointment Process
At the center of the controversy is the claim that the selection process for the new Vice Chancellor has been manipulated to favor certain candidates, including Maikudi herself. Sources within the university have alleged that Prof. Maikudi, who has only three years of professorial experience, is being imposed on the institution despite not fulfilling the qualifications typically required for the position.
The university’s Senate, tasked with ensuring a fair and transparent process, has been at odds with the acting VC over the integrity of the selection. Sources say that Maikudi has attempted to force through a rigged process, taking advantage of the holiday season when many Senate members were absent. The situation came to a head on Tuesday, when the acting VC called for a meeting to replace certain members of the Senate on the Joint Selection Board. These members had refused to endorse what they saw as a compromised process, and their removal was seen as an effort to sway the outcome of the VC appointment.
Violence Erupts at the Senate Meeting
On Tuesday afternoon, a planned meeting of the Senate at 9 a.m. was delayed multiple times. By 12 p.m., the meeting had still not begun, and tensions were high. When Prof. Afaha, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, arrived to deliver a last-minute apology from the acting VC, the response from Senate members was swift and hostile. The apology, which cited the Council Chairman’s request for “further consultations,” was met with disdain. Senate members, already frustrated by the delays and the controversy surrounding the appointment process, refused to accept the apology and ordered Afaha to leave.
What followed was nothing short of chaotic. The Senate members, enraged by what they saw as an affront to their authority, decided to proceed with their own meeting. However, this meeting was abruptly interrupted when over 30 vigilantes, allegedly sent by Prof. Maikudi, stormed the room. According to eyewitnesses, the vigilantes unleashed chaos, overturning tables and chairs and physically assaulting professors who attempted to record the unfolding events.
One source, speaking to SaharaReporters, described the scene as a “Nollywood movie,” with professors scrambling for safety as the vigilantes aggressively attempted to seize mobile phones and prevent any documentation of their actions. “It was a sorry sight. How low can this university sink? Beating Senate members? The desperation is unbelievable,” the source lamented.
The vigilantes also allegedly tore attendance sheets, further escalating the tension. In a bizarre turn, the confrontation extended beyond the meeting room itself. Professors who attempted to meet outside the building to continue their discussions were reportedly followed and harassed by the vigilantes, who prevented them from finalizing their resolutions.
The Divided Governing Council
While the acting VC’s actions have sparked outrage, the crisis at UniAbuja reflects deeper divisions within the university’s leadership. Sources within the university’s Governing Council have revealed that there is a significant rift between members who support Maikudi and those who feel she is not qualified for the role. Some Council members have expressed concerns that Maikudi, with only three years of experience as a professor, lacks the necessary qualifications to lead the institution.
The Governing Council’s divisions are mirrored in the Senate, where some members feel that the selection process has been undermined by political maneuvering. The controversy over the appointment of a new VC has become a flashpoint, with professors accusing the university’s leadership of prioritizing personal interests over the institution’s best interests.
A Fight for Integrity
As the violence unfolded, the question on everyone’s mind was whether the university could recover from the damage done. Many have expressed fear that the institution’s reputation, already tarnished by the ongoing saga, may be irreparably harmed. A video, which has since circulated widely on social media, shows Senate members sitting in silence, awaiting the arrival of the acting VC. The tension in the room is palpable, with many professors clearly agitated by the events that have unfolded.
The altercation has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into Prof. Maikudi’s actions and the selection process itself. In response to the incident, some faculty members are reportedly exploring ways to mobilize support for future Senate meetings and ensure that the selection process is not unduly influenced by external forces.
For now, the University of Abuja remains embroiled in a bitter struggle for control and legitimacy. The Senate has made it clear that they will not accept a VC appointment based on manipulation and coercion, and many are questioning how much longer the university’s leadership can hold onto power amid the growing unrest.
