VC Selection: UniAbuja Professors Bicker Over ‘Flawed Process’

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Protest erupted in the University of Abuja over the choice of a substantive vice-chancellor as professors threw all care to the wind and called out the process in the school premises, claiming it lacked merit and was devoid of due process.

This comes as more than 80 scholars from within and outside Nigeria have applied to become the next substantive vice-chancellor of the university.

It is on record that a disturbing incident occurred during the protest as the crew of Channels Television, were brutally manhandled by security operatives.

The situation escalated further, with the crew’s vehicle vandalized, causing significant damage.

Not done yet, the security operatives detained the crew for over an hour.

Allegations are swirling that the retired Air Vice-Marshall Sadiq Kaita-led governing council, in cahoots with certain staff members, tried to install the Acting VC, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, as the substantive vice-chancellor, despite claims she did not meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the job advertisement.

This move has raised eyebrows, sparking concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process.

Investigations showed that a crisis in the senate meeting was convened on Christmas Eve at 9 am, as the governing council sought to oust senate members who allegedly refused to back the appointment of Maikudi, sparking tensions within the university community.

University officials familiar with the matter revealed that a heated session recently took place at the governing council meeting, sparked by allegations that Kaita was attempting to impose the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Maikudi, as the substantive vice-chancellor who was unqualified to apply in the first instance.

The rapid rise of the 41-year-old acting vice-chancellor to prominence in the academic world has raised eyebrows in some quarters.

Allegations suggest she was fast-tracked into her role as a Professor of International Law under questionable circumstances, becoming a professor in 2022 and promptly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC).

Her swift ascension is reportedly linked to her father’s influence, a notable figure from Katsina State, Alhaji Sani Maikudi, with the chairman of the governing council coming from the same state.

This development has sparked questions about the selection process and potential favouritism and nepotism.

Also fingered in the succession crisis is the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulrasheeed Na’Allah, who allegedly paved the way for Professor Maikudi to become the acting VC as a form of gratitude.

This favour was reportedly in return for the support of Aisha’s father, Alhaji Sani Maikudi, who was the former council chairman.

Na’Allah supposedly benefited from Maikudi’s rule-bending five years prior, which enabled his own ascension to the V-C position.

This development has sparked controversy, with many accusing the governing council of bias and manipulation in the appointment process.

It has also created unrest among university officials and staff, who are concerned about the implications of the allegations on the image of the institution.

The controversy surrounding her appointment has also led to debates about meritocracy and fairness in academic promotions.

But speaking with reporters on Tuesday, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Abubakar Umarkari, said 70 percent of Vice-Chancellors assumed office with less than 10 years of professorial experience.

He cited the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Federal University of Technology, Minna with zero professorial experience to buttress his argument.

The Don assured that the selection process would be transparent.

His words: “The appointment of the VCs of every Nigerian university is determined by two documents: the act of the specific university and the University’s Miscellaneous Act.

“And the Act of specific universities vary a little. But I can tell you in none of them it is stated that you have to be a professor of 10 years before you become VC.

“As a matter of fact, if you do an analysis of all the VCs of federal and state universities, I can tell you that 70 percent of them, you can mark that whatever, became V-Cs at less than 10 years as professors.”