A letter allegedly authorizing the Governing Council of the University of Abuja to complete the selection process for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar positions before December 31, 2024, has sparked a fresh controversy over its authenticity.
Sources within the Federal Ministry of Education revealed on Thursday that the letter obtained by the outlet is fake and was never approved by the Minister of Education.
According to a report, on December 31, 2024, Prof. Aisha Maikudi was appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the university despite ongoing protests and allegations of irregularities in the selection process.
Prof. Maikudi, who had been serving as acting Vice-Chancellor, faced opposition from some professors who claimed the process was manipulated in her favor.
Critics have accused the Chairman of the Governing Council, Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retd.), of rushing the process during the Christmas and New Year holidays without allowing adequate time for thorough evaluation.
The Chairman cited a letter, allegedly from the Minister of Education and signed by Director of University Education, Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu, which directed the council to conclude the selection process for both positions by December 31, 2024.
The letter, dated December 13, 2024, and addressed to the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Governing Council, was also copied to Prof. Maikudi, who was then a candidate for the position.
“I am directed to bring to your notice the plethora of negative publications on social and news media concerning the selection process for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University of Abuja. Such negative publicity does not reflect well on a citadel of learning like the University of Abuja.
“Consequently, I am further directed to advise you to urgently convene an extraordinary meeting of the council to carry out all necessary procedures for the appointment of the two principal officers. The Honorable Minister of Education has directed that this process be concluded and the appointments made on or before December 31, 2024.
“Please accept the assurances of the Honorable Minister’s warm regards.”
However, sources within the Ministry of Education have questioned the letter’s authenticity, stating that the Minister, Dr. Tunji Alaussa, did not authorize it and was not consulted before it was issued.
One ministry official revealed that while Mallam Abubakar K. Isa, Director of ICT and the
ministry’s representative on the selection board, was aware of the letter, other council members only learned of it during a council meeting on Christmas Eve when the Chairman mentioned it.
“He mentioned the letter at the meeting but said he was keeping it to himself,” the source said. Another source added, “At the joint board meeting, he emphasized his plan to conclude the process by December 31, which led to disagreements and walkouts from some members.”
The sources also highlighted that the Minister had previously nullified the appointment of Prof. Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, citing irregularities.
They questioned why he would now support a process alleged to lack due process at the University of Abuja.
When contacted, the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Mrs. Faleshede Boriowo, said, “I will get back to you after confirmation.” However, as of the time of this report, she had not responded, and follow-up calls to her phone went unanswered.
