High-level intrigues and drama have continued to characterise the selection process of a new vice chancellor of the University of Abuja.
Since the exit of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, on July 1, 2024, the university that prides itself as the ‘symbol of Unity and Scholarship’ has been embroiled in a leadership crisis that has marred the process of appointing a new vice-chancellor.
It was gathered that at the heart of the crisis is the purported strategic move and an attempt by some much older professors to stop the appointment of Professor Aisha Maikudi, a law professor as substantive Vice-Chancellor. Maikudi is the current acting VC, reports Nigerian Tribune.
Trouble started when the immediate past VC, Na’Allah, had, in the absence of a Governing Council, at the university, advertised for the VC position.
The advertisement was signed by the former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman in March.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNIABUJA chapter rejected the advertorial and consequently embarked on an 82-day strike on the argument that only the governing council has the authority to issue such an advertisement.
Nonetheless, following the inauguration of the Governing Council of the University with Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retd), as the chairman, the advert was reviewed in August and extended by a six-week window to elapse in early October 2024.
The new Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, who was said to be disturbed by the delay in appointment of a substantive VC for the university, directed that the selection process be concluded on or before December 31, 2024.
It was gathered that following the directive of the minister, the Council expedited action on the selection process and was ready to hand over 40 VC candidates who were shortlisted out of 87 applicants at a meeting scheduled to be held on December 23.
However, the Senate meeting was not held because of protests by some senate members who refused to participate in the process.
Spokesperson for the university, Dr Habib Yakoob, confirmed the development, saying it was true that a meeting was initially scheduled to address the issue of two Senate members who walked out of the Joint Council/Senate Selection Board meeting regarding the selection criteria, and that no such meeting ultimately took place.
What the law says about VC appointment
The University (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1993 states that the Governing Council of a university appoints the Vice-Chancellor (VC). The law also includes the following provisions for the appointment of a VC:
“When there is a vacancy, the Council must advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or newspaper; specify the qualities of the applicants and the terms and conditions of service.
“Draw a short list of suitable candidates and constitute a Search Team”. The VC selection also involves a board of five comprising two university council members, two from the university senate, and the pro-chancellor.
The process is equally guided by the “Guidelines for the Appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts,” prepared by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2013, which has not been reviewed to date.
The University (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 199, amended in 2003 and 2012, also prepared a template for scoring candidates searching for the position of the Vice Chancellor.
Protest by professors over the selection process
There was a mild drama on Tuesday last week when some of the university’s lecturers, who were dissatisfied with the VC selection process, took to the streets to register their discontent.
They alleged the imposition of a candidate and that the process was being manipulated to install Professor Maikudi as a substantive vice chancellor.
The protesters further alleged that Alhaji Maikudi installed the former VC, Na’Allah and struck a deal with him to make his daughter, Aisha, his successor.
Council splits, minority petitions minister
Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, an external member of the Council, representing South-West, and Mrs Chisom Dorcas Obih, an external member of the Council representing South-East, in a minority report submitted to the Minister of Education, Dr Alausa, alleged that they were deliberately schemed out of the selection board as a ploy to pave the way for Professor Maikudi’s emergence as VC.
They lamented the skewed configuration and lack of balance in the composition of the selection board.
The petition obtained by our correspondent indicated that the Chairman of the Council is stampeding the Council into appointing a new Vice-Chancellor during the Christmas/New Year Break.
“In the last week, the Chairman has been stampeding Council to wrap up the Vice-Chancellorship selection exercise during this festive season because of an unconfirmed directive from the Minister of Education.
“It is most unbelievable that the Governing Council has already scheduled the interview of shortlisted applicants for Friday 27th, Saturday 28th, and Sunday 29th of December, 2024. “There is only one working day between 24th and 27th December, 2024. This is grossly inadequate even for internal applicants resident in Abuja.”
UniAbuja ASUU calls for transparency
The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja branch, has called for transparency in the selection process of appointment of a new VC
ASUU chairman, UniAbuja chapter, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, emphasised the union’s commitment to monitoring developments surrounding the VC appointment to ensure transparency.
He stated, “ASUU is not involved in this matter. We do not set the selection board; we are here to ensure transparency and due process.”
It was also gathered that the Union held a meeting last week to review the ongoing process amidst the crisis and resolved that the process should be allowed to be concluded for a new Vice-Chancellor to emerge.
No law requiring professorial experience for VC appointment —CSO
A group under the umbrella of Civil Society Coalition for Education Development has said that there is no law requiring professorial experience for appointment as Vice Chancellor of a university in Nigeria.
Dr Wisdom Ohalete Chinedu, convener of the group, who briefed newsmen during a peaceful protest at the main Campus of the University, warned against attempts to discredit Professor Maikudi, the acting VC of the university.
The Coalition has equally called on President Bola Tinubu who is the Visitor to the university, to intervene in the resolution of the “needless” crisis, which they noted is being orchestrated by vested interests among the ranks of professors in the institution.
Chinedu’s position, however, runs contrary to the Assessment Criteria for appointment of Vice Chancellors as prepared by the FME and NUC in 2013, which stipulates the qualification of a Vice Chancellor thus: “Must be a professor of at least ten years experience.”
The age qualification for a prospective Vice Chancellor is, however, given as 64 years, which takes into consideration a five-year term and one year of sabbatical leave terminating in the 70-year retirement age.
No imposition of candidate – University spokesperson
Acting Director of Information and University Relations of the university, Dr Yakoob, debunked claims of the imposition of a candidate, specifically, the acting vice-chancellor, Professor Maikudi.
He noted that Professor Maikudi, like all other candidates who have applied for the position of Vice Chancellor, is fully qualified and competent to assume the role.
