By Felix Khanoba
The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has refuted claims of legal or procedural violations in the recent appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the institution’s 7th Vice-Chancellor.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Council, led by retired Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita, asserted that the selection process adhered strictly to the prescribed guidelines and regulations.
Signed by the Acting Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mrs. Islamiyat F. Abdulrahim, the statement acknowledged that concerns were raised by some stakeholders during the selection process, which began in March 2024.
However, it emphasized that the university worked diligently to address and resolve these issues amicably.
The statement reads: “The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, led by Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), has complied with the extant laws and laid down procedures and processes in the appointment of the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi.
“Contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, the Council, in making the appointment announced on 31st December 2024, strictly complied with the relevant provisions of the two main acts guiding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of the University, namely, the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, NO 1 of 2007.
“The Council is not unaware of complaints raised by some interested parties in the course of the transition process, which commenced as far back as March 2024 when the University initially advertised the position of Vice-Chancellor. However, it is important to note that all such concerns and issues were considered and efforts made to resolve the issues amicably with the active involvement of major stakeholders in the University, including the Senate and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“That explains the wide and enthusiastic acceptance of the announcement of the new Vice-Chancellor within and beyond the University community.
“Council appreciates that in a contest of eighty-seven applicants with only one winner expected to emerge, the losers must exhibit great sportsmanship and maturity to accept the outcome.
“This is necessary for the University to forge ahead and allow the brand-new substantive Vice-Chancellor, who served in an acting capacity in the past six months, to unfold and pursue her vision for the University in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and enduring corporate harmony.”
