The ongoing leadership turmoil at the University of Abuja has escalated, with a recent attempt by the university’s Governing Council to appoint a new vice-chancellor thwarted by a boycott from its members.
Council Meeting Boycotted Over Lack of Transparency
Reports from Channels Television reveal that late Monday, members of the external Governing Council refused to attend a meeting called by its Chairman, Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita. The meeting was intended to facilitate the appointment of a new vice-chancellor by Tuesday afternoon, but it was undermined by the absence of an agenda and proper notification to the council members.
Legal Disputes Over Appointment Process
An insider source pointed out that the chairman’s approach did not adhere to legal stipulations for appointing a vice-chancellor. According to university law, such an appointment requires the presence of the chairman, two non-Senate council members, and two Senate representatives who are not on the Council for the interview process to be legally valid.
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Key Council Members Absent
The boycott included notable external members like Professor Raphael Akinfeleye from the South West, Chisom Dorcas Obih from the South East, and Sabo Bappayo Ahmed from the North-East, highlighting the division within the council.
Controversy Surrounding Preferred Candidate
The crisis has been brewing since the departure of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Rasheed Na’Allah in July. Central to the current discord is the accusation that the council, alongside some staff, is pushing for Professor Aisha Maikudi’s appointment, despite claims she does not meet the eligibility criteria set forth in the initial advertisement for the position.
