The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has denied allegations that it is imposing the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Maikudu, as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.
According to Dr. Habib Yakoob, the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Maikudu is fully qualified and competent to assume the role, having “ably discharged her responsibilities as acting vice-chancellor” over the past six months.
Dr. Yakoob stated, “Over the past six months, she has ably discharged her responsibilities as acting vice-chancellor. In fact, her remarkable overall accomplishment in the five months she has held forth has continued to attract widespread applause and commendation within the university and beyond.”
He added that efforts to malign her candidacy are “baseless, unwarranted, and appear calculated to create unnecessary tension and distract the University Council from its mandate.”
The university spokesman emphasized that the University Council is committed to conducting a transparent, fair, and merit-based selection process, adhering to the University’s Act and other relevant statutes.
He noted that the Council has structured the process to ensure the emergence of the most competent and visionary leader to steer the institution toward greater achievements.
Dr. Yakoob called on all stakeholders to allow the selection process to proceed without undue interference or politicization, stating, “The process will be concluded with the utmost integrity and in the best interests of the University.”
He also clarified that a proposed Senate meeting was postponed to allow for alternative avenues of amicable resolution, and debunked allegations of coercion or confrontation during the supposed Senate meeting, as no such meeting occurred.
