109 UniAbuja Senate Members Defend VC Maikudi Appointment Amid Controversy
A group of Senate Members from the University of Abuja has issued a formal statement defending the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the new Vice Chancellor (VC), following allegations of misconduct in the selection process.
The 109 senators, which include professors, deans, and heads of departments, expressed their concerns in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that the procedure adhered meticulously to the Universities Miscellaneous Act and university regulations.
The senators’ statement comes in response to a recent protest allegedly staged by a group of 40 professors, led by Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi, who submitted a complaint to the Minister of Education claiming that the appointment process was manipulated and improper. However, the letter from the University of Abuja senators clarified that only six professors were involved in this alleged protest, labeling it as exaggerated.
In their defense, the senators detailed the transparent selection process that preceded Maikudi’s appointment. They stated that the position was advertised twice in 2024, allowing 87 candidates to apply, which was subsequently narrowed down to 40 after thorough screening. A Joint Senate and Council Selection Board (JCSSB) evaluated candidates, leading to the selection of the top three, from which Maikudi was appointed.
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The senators condemned various claims made against Maikudi, including that an erroneous criterion—requiring candidates to have been a professor for 10 years—was used to disqualify her. They asserted that such a requirement is not found in any law or university regulation and was merely a tactic to undermine her candidacy.
The senators also highlighted a deliberate media campaign against Maikudi, suggesting that vested interests were attempting to derail her appointment by spreading falsehoods about the selection process.
In a pointed rebuke, the senators named three individuals responsible for this disruption: Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, who has allegedly circulated misinformation about the selection process; Professor Mashi, who unsuccessfully sought the vice chancellorship but was not at the final interview stage; and two other professors, K.M. Waziri and Rosemary Udeozor, who initially refused to engage with the JCSSB and were eventually replaced.
Concluding their address, the senators urged President Tinubu to disregard the antagonistic reports about the appointment, framing them as the actions of “mischief makers” and emphasizing that Maikudi’s selection was conducted with integrity and in accordance with established laws.
This public defense by the Senate of the University of Abuja underscores the complexities surrounding leadership appointments in Nigerian universities amidst ongoing tensions and the need for transparency in governance at academic institutions.
By PRNigeria
