Tension continues to rise over the appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), as 43 professors from the institution have called on President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the current Governing Council, led by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retd.).
The professors made their position known through a formal petition addressed to President Tinubu, urging him to nullify all actions taken by the current council, including the appointment of Prof. Maikudi.
The petition was submitted on January 2, 2025, and delivered to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting immediate intervention.
In the petition titled “Complaint Regarding the Manipulation of Vice Chancellor Appointment Processes at the University of Abuja”, the professors criticized the selection process for being marred by irregularities, favoritism, and violations of university regulations.
They specifically pointed to the council’s manipulation in favor of Prof. Maikudi and questioned her qualifications for the position.
The appointment of Prof. Maikudi, which was officially announced on December 31, 2024, has sparked controversy due to concerns raised about her limited experience and academic credentials.
The petition highlighted that she had only two years of experience as a professor, a far cry from the minimum ten years required by the university’s own guidelines.
Additionally, the professors claimed that Maikudi lacked sufficient scholarly visibility.
The petitioners also expressed concern about the composition of the Governing Council, criticizing the inclusion of individuals they deemed unqualified for their roles, including a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education and a businesswoman.
They argued that these individuals lacked the expertise needed to ensure the university’s governance was based on academic merit.
In their letter, the professors, many of whom are members of the University Senate, called for the dissolution and reconstitution of the Governing Council to ensure a transparent and fair selection process for the Vice-Chancellor.
They warned that failure to address these concerns would undermine the credibility of the university and potentially set a dangerous precedent for higher education institutions in Nigeria.
Among the petitioners are well-known academics such as Prof. Olanrewaju Aladeitan, Prof. Umaru Muhammed, Prof. Mabel Evwiohana, Prof. Ifeoma Echezona, and Prof. Otaki Alananan, as well as several other senior faculty members.
On Tuesday, a delegation from the group met with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to formally present their concerns.
While details of the meeting remain unclear, the professors’ demand for immediate action to address the alleged irregularities is clear.
The petition underscores a broader dissatisfaction with the ongoing leadership issues at the university, further escalating tensions in an already complex situation.
The professors emphasized that the integrity of the appointment process must be restored to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the country’s higher education system.
