Fresh Controversy in UNIABUJA VC Appointment as Education Ministry Denies Purported Letter to Circumvent Due Process
A letter allegedly authorizing the Governing Council of the University of Abuja to conclude the selection processes of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Registrar appointments for the university before December 31, 2024, without following due process, has sparked controversy regarding its authenticity.
Some staff of the Federal Ministry of Education described the letter, purportedly signed by Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu, Director of University Education, as fake, asserting that the Minister of Education never authorized it.
On December 31, 2024, Sahara Reporters reported that Prof. Aisha Maikudi was announced as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, despite controversies surrounding the selection process.
Protests Against the Appointment
The appointment of Prof. Maikudi, who was the acting Vice-Chancellor before her confirmation, faced resistance from professors alleging manipulation to favor her. They claimed that the Chairman of the Governing Council, Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Retd.), expedited the process during the holiday season without allowing proper evaluation.
The Chairman cited the disputed letter dated December 13, 2024, as his directive to conclude the appointments by December 31. The letter was reportedly addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council and copied to Prof. Maikudi.
Content of the Disputed Letter
“I am directed to bring to your notice the plethora of negative publications on the social/news media pertaining to the selection process for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University. It is important to point out that this negative publicity does not augur well for a citadel of learning like the University of Abuja.”
“Consequently, I am further directed to advise you to urgently convey an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Council to carry out all the necessary procedures in the appointment of the two principal officers (Vice-Chancellor and Registrar). The Honorable Minister of Education has directed that this process should be conducted, concluded, and appoint a substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for the University of Abuja, on or before the 31st December 2024.”
Education Ministry’s Denial
Sources in the Federal Ministry of Education have disputed the letter’s legitimacy, stating that the Minister, Dr. Tunji Alaussa, never authorized such communication.
- A source revealed that the letter was only mentioned at a council meeting during the Christmas holiday, where the Chairman kept it to himself.
- Allegations have surfaced that the Minister could not have authorized the process, given his history of nullifying similar appointments for procedural irregularities.
Pending Clarification
When contacted, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Mrs. Faleshede Boriowo, said:
“I will get back to you after confirmation.”
However, at the time of this report, she had not responded, and further calls to her phone went unanswered.
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