UNIABUJA VC Appointment Sparks Controversy

 "UNIABUJA VC Appointment Sparks Controversy: Senate Members Demand Governing Council's Dissolution Over Alleged Manipulation"

In a significant development at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), 43 Senate members have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate dissolution of the institution's Governing Council.The petition, dated January 2, 2025, alleges gross irregularities and manipulations in the recent appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.

Allegations of Procedural Breaches

The Senate members, comprising distinguished professors and academic doctors, have expressed a complete loss of confidence in the Governing Council's ability to conduct a fair and transparent selection process.They cite several critical issues undermining the integrity of the appointment:

• Improper Composition of the Governing Council: The internal members were reportedly handpicked by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, leading to concerns about impartiality and adherence to due process.

• Violation of Appointment Guidelines: The petition highlights that established guidelines, particularly those concerning the requisite years of professorial experience, were flagrantly disregarded.Notably, the initial advertisement for the Vice-Chancellor position required candidates to have at least five years of professorial experience and a significant academic standing. However, a subsequent advertisement altered these criteria, ostensibly to accommodate Professor Maikudi, who has just two years of professorial experience.

• Intimidation and Harassment: There are allegations of the use of security forces to intimidate dissenting Senate members, creating an atmosphere of fear and suppressing open discourse.

• Flawed and Rushed Selection Process: The conventional procedures for screening and interviewing candidates, which typically span several weeks, were reportedly compressed into a single week, raising questions about the thoroughness and fairness of the process.

Call for Immediate Intervention

In their petition, the Senate members have appealed to President Tinubu to dissolve the current Governing Council and reconstitute a new one to oversee a fresh and transparent selection process. They argue that such action is imperative to restore the university's credibility and uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and merit in academic leadership appointments.

This controversy at UNIABUJA is not an isolated incident but reflects broader challenges within Nigeria's higher education system.The allegations of favoritism, procedural breaches, and undue interference in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors have the potential to erode public trust in academic institutions.It underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to established guidelines in the governance of universities.

The unfolding situation at the University of Abuja serves as a critical test of the government's commitment to upholding integrity and fairness in Nigeria's educational institutions.The response to the Senate members' petition will not only impact UNIABUJA but could also set a precedent for addressing similar issues across the nation's universities.As stakeholders await the government's decision, the call for a transparent and merit-based process in academic appointments remains a pressing demand.