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Crisis Looms at UniAbuja as Allegations of Bias in VC Appointment Emerge

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The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) is on the verge of an industrial crisis following allegations of a plot by the Governing Council to impose the Acting Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, as the substantive vice chancellor. The controversy has stirred unrest among officials and staff, who accuse the Council of manipulating the appointment process to favor Prof. Maikudi, daughter of the former council chairman, Alhaji Sani Maikudi.

The situation traces back to the tenure of the immediate past VC, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, who reportedly orchestrated Prof. Maikudi’s appointment as acting VC in the twilight of his administration. According to sources within the institution, Na’Allah allegedly influenced her rise as a reward to Alhaji Sani Maikudi, who is said to have played a crucial role in his own appointment five years ago by bending several rules to ensure his emergence as VC.

Concerns have now mounted, with claims that Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismail Kaita (retd.), the Chairman of the Governing Council, lowered the eligibility criteria for the VC position in a recent advertisement published in a national daily. The officials argue that this was done to favor the acting VC, Prof. Maikudi, despite her lacking the requisite experience as mandated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for such appointments.

The alleged favoritism has led some to believe that the Governing Council is playing into an ethnic agenda, with insinuations that the Chairman of the Council, supported by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman—both of Fulani descent—is pushing to appoint an unqualified candidate.

UniAbuja’s spokesperson, Dr. Habib Yakoob, has refuted these claims of an imminent crisis, emphasizing that the process is still in its early stages. “There is no crisis of succession for the position of UniAbuja VC. The advert for the position of VC was placed on August 26, 2024, and just expired last week. At this point, only the Selection and Search Committees (from Council, Senate, and Congregation) have been constituted. Nothing else has been done. So any suggestion of imposition or preference for a particular candidate is purely speculative, premature, and mischievous,” Yakoob stated.

He further added that the Council, composed of credible individuals, would conduct a transparent process to ensure fairness in selecting the next substantive vice chancellor.

However, some insiders claim otherwise. One official who spoke to Daily Sun alleged that a “stormy” Council meeting occurred last Friday, where the Chairman of the Governing Council was reportedly accused of bending the rules in favor of the acting VC.

“There was a heated session over an attempt by the chairman and a few others to impose the acting VC, who is not qualified by any standards. The immediate past VC orchestrated this problem for personal reasons. He fast-tracked her promotion to deputy vice chancellor in 2022, knowing this would qualify her for the top position,” the official alleged.

The official further claimed that Prof. Maikudi’s father, who hails from Katsina, was instrumental in securing Prof. Na’Allah’s position five years ago. In return, Na’Allah allegedly “rewarded” him by fast-tracking his daughter’s career, culminating in her appointment as acting VC.

“When the Governing Council advertised the vacancy for the post of VC, all standards were lowered to pave the way for the acting VC, who has only two years of professorial experience,” the source added. This manipulation, they said, was the root cause of the friction during the recent Council meeting, where several members reportedly objected to the chairman’s overt support for Prof. Maikudi.

Meanwhile, Prof. Sylvester Ugoh, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UniAbuja chapter, expressed caution about commenting on the matter. “I am not a member of the Council, so I do not have firsthand information on what might have transpired. However, the conventional requirement is that a candidate should have extensive university management experience. I cannot confirm whether this is clearly stated in UniAbuja law or any guidelines.”

The situation at UniAbuja mirrors concerns raised at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), where the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) and the Unizik Medics Alumni Association (UMAA) have similarly rejected the VC selection process. Both associations have raised alarm over what they describe as violations of the University’s establishment Act and the exclusion of certain academic disciplines, particularly clinical lecturers, from the process.

UMAA officials have highlighted significant discrepancies in the advertisement for the VC position at UNIZIK, asserting that it contravenes the provisions of the University’s establishment Act. They argue that the advertisement unfairly narrows the field of candidates by emphasizing personal achievements and securing specific research funding, which they claim disenfranchises many qualified applicants.

MDCAN President, Prof. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, also decried the exclusion of medical and dental lecturers from the selection process, warning that this could harm the university’s medical programs. “This exclusion undermines the critical role medical and dental lecturers play in the university’s mission and could lead to a breakdown in collaboration and morale,” he said.

Abuja Reports

Countdown to Excellence: ACJ National Essay Competition Set to Thrill Abuja

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By Our Correspondent 

The stage is set for one of Nigeria’s most anticipated intellectual events of the year; the ACJ National Essay Competition, happening in just seven days at the prestigious Musa Yar’Adua Event Centre, Abuja.

Organized by the renowned Abuja City Journal (ACJ), an Abuja-based online platform and monthly magazine publication owned by Mr Ojo Sylvanus Foluso, the competition is already sparking excitement among participants and observers.

Designed to promote education and intellectual growth among young Nigerians, the initiative promises an enriching experience for all involved.

In a commendable show of support, ACJ has extended an open call to corporate giants like Unilever, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nestlé, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia Foundation, and First Bank to sponsor this impactful event.

Such partnerships could amplify the competition’s reach and ensure its sustainability in fostering creativity and critical thinking in the nation’s youth.

The ACJ National Essay Competition is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of ideas, innovation, and the boundless potential of young Nigerians.

With the countdown now officially underway, all eyes turn to Abuja for a showcase of talent, intellect, and the spirit of excellence.

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Education

1,500 Pupils Stranded as Abuja School Faces Imminent Collapse

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By Emmanuel Ogbodo

 

Junior Secondary School Gurfata, located in Ibwa Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, is facing a dire crisis as over 1,500 pupils are left stranded due to the school’s deteriorating infrastructure.

 

The civic technology group, MonITNg, raised concerns about the alarming state of the school on Saturday via its X handle.

 

The group highlighted structural failures, including leaking roofs and collapsing ceilings, and called for urgent government intervention.

 

“Here’s the current state of Junior Secondary School Gurfata, the only school in town, now on the brink of collapse.

 

“Poor living conditions have driven teachers away, leaving over 1,500 students without access to education.

 

“We urge @GovWike and Sen @IretiKingibe to take immediate action,” the group wrote.

 

MonITNg’s founder, Ilevbaoje Uadamen, condemned the neglect, urging government officials to prioritize education over less critical expenditures.

 

“Education is the foundation of any thriving society. Our government must invest in education, ensuring resources are channeled where they matter most,” Uadamen stated.

 

Junior Secondary School Gurfata, reportedly the only educational institution in the area, is emblematic of broader infrastructural challenges faced by schools across the Gwagwalada Area Council.

 

The lack of maintenance has forced teachers to abandon their roles, leaving students without adequate learning opportunities.

 

The Gwagwalada Area Council, established to drive rural development, is now facing criticism for failing to fulfill this mandate.

 

Advocacy groups are urging the Federal Capital Territory Secondary Education Board to act swiftly to rehabilitate the school and ensure continued access to education for the affected pupils.

 

This urgent call for intervention emphasizes the critical need for a sustainable plan to address the decay in educational infrastructure across rural Abuja communities.

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Education

ASUU President Flags Increasing First-Class Graduates in Private Universities

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By Njoku Chijioke

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, has voiced concerns about the escalating number of first-class degrees awarded by private universities in Nigeria.

Speaking at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Osodeke labeled the trend “worrisome” and raised questions about its implications for academic credibility and integrity.

Osodeke warned that this pattern might pressure public universities into similar practices, thereby diluting academic standards across the nation.

He called for stringent regulations to safeguard the quality and credibility of degrees in the country.

Reflecting on the state of foundational education, the ASUU president attributed a decline in standards to the subpar performance of primary and secondary schools, which, he argued, often produce students with inflated grades but inadequate knowledge.

“The obsession with first-class degrees could undermine the integrity of higher education, especially if the awards are not backed by rigorous academic merit,” Osodeke remarked.

His comments have reignited discussions on education reforms in Nigeria, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for robust oversight to preserve the integrity of the nation’s educational system.

Policymakers are now tasked with addressing these concerns to ensure that the quality of Nigerian university graduates remains globally competitive.

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