The University of Abuja’s Governing Council, chaired by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita, has scheduled interviews for Monday and Tuesday, December 30 and 31, to select the university’s substantive vice-chancellor.
Interestingly, this development comes amidst controversy surrounding the potential appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi, the current acting vice-chancellor, as the substantive VC.
Some have raised concerns about her qualifications, especially as she has only about three years of professorial experience, but it’s worth noting that Maikudi received her LLB from the University of Reading, UK, and her Ph.D. from the University of Abuja, and is even recognised as the youngest Professor of Law in Nigeria.
Despite this, the alleged attempt to impose her as the substantive VC has sparked a looming crisis.
SaharaReporters had reported how attempts to impose Maikudi as the substantive VC without due process forced two Senate members in the joint selection board to walk out of the board meeting.
SaharaReporters learnt that the dons are Prof. Kasim Waziri and Prof. Rosemary Udeozo.
The Senate members walked out during a meeting on Monday following the imposition of certain criteria allegedly put in place to favour the emergence of the acting VC Maikudi as the new VC.
They also complained about how without their knowledge and participation, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the joint selection board, shortlisted 40 names for the interview out of 87 applications.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Maikudi had forwarded another name to the Governing Council of the University to replace Prof. Waziri at the joint selection board to ensure the continuation of the VC selection process.
Prof. Waziri and Prof. Udeozo were elected by the Senate of the University on October 9 to the joint selection board entrusted with the job of selecting a new VC for the school.
Sources told SaharaReporters that in order to complete the selection process and announce her by Tuesday as the new VC, after the Senate members who are part of the selection board walked out, Maikudi called for an extraordinary Senate meeting last Friday, where she announced that since Prof. Waziri wasn’t present in the meeting despite joining by Zoom, he should be replaced.
SaharaReporters gathered that at the meeting which lasted 20 minutes, she reportedly did not allow the members of the Senate to speak after one of the members identified as her stooge seconded her motion that Waziri should be replaced. She reportedly left the meeting immediately.
According to sources, to ensure the completion of the predetermined outcome, an invitation for interview was sent to 40 applicants whom the pro-chancellor had singlehandedly shortlisted and sent to Department of State Services (DSS) for security check on Sunday.
The invitation signed by acting Registrar, Mrs Islamiyat Foyeke Abdulrahim, promised the invitees that the interview will commence at 11 a.m. at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, located at the Senate Building, Main Campus, Airport Road, Abuja.
All the invited applicants were advised to check in at Silver Green Hotel, Adjacent Prince and Princess Estate, Behind NNPC Station, where reservations had been made in their names.
The invitation reads: “Invitation for interview: This is to invite you for an interview with the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board scheduled as follows:
“Date: 30th and 31st December, 2024
“Time: 11.00 am
“Venue: Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, Senate Building, Main Campus, Airport Road, Abuja.
“You are to bring all the supporting original documents declared in your application as well as any other relevant documents.
“Please note that the university will provide for your accommodation and feeding.
“Accordingly, you are advised to check in at Silver Green Hotel, Adjacent Prince and Princess Estate, Behind NNPC Station, where prior reservation had been made in your name.”
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