UniAbuja Saga: Prof Umar Kari Responds to Martins Oloja’s Allegations
Professor Umar Kari of the University of Abuja has strongly refuted claims made by a respected Guardian columnist Martins Oloja regarding recent developments at the institution, describing Oloja’s assertions as factually incorrect, misleading, and unbalanced.
In a detailed rejoinder sent to PRNigeria, Professor Kari challenged Oloja’s analysis of the university’s leadership selection process, the role of the governing council, and allegations of favoritism in appointments.
Oloja had questioned the nomination process of the university’s past Pro-Chancellor, suggesting that the selection favored a particular Vice-Chancellor while excluding other qualified candidates. In response, Kari clarified that the Federal Government appointed the Pro-Chancellor and that the review of the initial advertisement for the position was widely supported, including by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He refuted claims that standards were deliberately lowered to favor any individual.
“The review was widely welcomed at the time, and objections only arose when it became clear that Aisha Sani Maikudi had applied,” Kari stated, challenging Oloja to verify the timeline of events.
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Oloja had also criticized the diversity in the governing council’s composition. Kari, however, maintained that federal character principles guided council appointments. He dismissed claims that the then-Minister of Education influenced the selection of key university officials, emphasizing that the university’s governing council and Senate handled these appointments independently.
He further addressed concerns about regional and religious representation in the university’s leadership, arguing that past appointments had similarly reflected regional clusters, citing instances where principal officers were drawn from the same geopolitical zone.
Oloja accused the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of promoting his associates, including claims that 250 of the 400 new academic staff hailed from his home state. Kari dismissed this as misinformation, urging Oloja to conduct due diligence before spreading what he termed “fake news.”
Addressing concerns over Aisha Sani Maikudi’s appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Kari clarified that she was appointed two years after her father had left his role as Pro-Chancellor. He also pointed out historical precedents where less senior academics had been appointed DVCs, questioning the selective outrage.
In his closing remarks, Kari urged Oloja to verify facts before making authoritative claims and to avoid taking sides in the unfolding issues at the University of Abuja.
“You should also be wary of accepting as gospel truth information from your sources and contacts. Furthermore, we on the other side of the divide deserve to be heard before you go to town with your reports,” he emphasized.
Kari’s response underscores the deep divisions surrounding recent developments at the University of Abuja, highlighting the need for accuracy and balance in reporting on sensitive institutional matters.
By PRNigeria
