Varsity Conversion Bill: Lecturers Ask Yuguda To Resign Over Remarks On Professors

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Branch, Bauchi, has called on former Bauchi State governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, to resign as chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) over alleged disparaging remarks against professors and threats to university autonomy.

ASUU made the call during a press conference held in Bauchi yesterday following what it described as Yuguda’s “outbursts” at a recent public hearing at the National Assembly on a bill seeking to convert ATBU from a technology-based university to a conventional university.

Addressing journalists, chairperson of ASUU-ATBU, Comrade Angulu Haruna, said the former governor lacked the moral authority to preside over a university system he allegedly held in contempt.

“You cannot preside over a system you hold with such disappointing contempt,” Haruna said, while also calling on Yuguda to publicly withdraw the statements attributed to him.

According to ASUU, Yuguda, while addressing the media after the public hearing, allegedly described those opposing the bill as criminals, reportedly stating that “Any person against the conversion of the university to a conventional university is a criminal.”

The union further alleged that Yuguda expressed anger at professors who spoke against the bill on the grounds that it violated university autonomy, and reportedly questioned their relevance in a manner ASUU described as offensive and unacceptable.

Haruna said participation in public hearings at the National Assembly is a constitutional right and described it as “Appalling and unfortunate” for a former governor to criminalise citizens for expressing their views during a legislative process.

ASUU also expressed concern that Yuguda, as Pro-chancellor of NOUN, allegedly showed disregard for professors, whom the union described as the backbone of the university system. According to the union, such conduct raises serious questions about his competence, integrity, and commitment to nation-building.

On the issue of the College of Medical Sciences at ATBU, ASUU rejected Yuguda’s claims of playing a central role in its establishment, insisting that the College commenced before his intervention.

“The Union wishes to remind the public that our College of Medical Sciences had commenced much earlier before the former Governor’s intervention. It is also on record that the Bauchi State Government handed over the former State Specialist Hospital to the Federal Government and was compensated. The proceeds of the exchange were what the former Governor used in developing other places, especially the State Specialist Hospital along Ran road.”

The union also condemned comments reportedly made by Alhaji Ladan Salihu, former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), who allegedly released a video criticising ATBU officials and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for opposing the bill.

ASUU described Ladan’s remarks as another attack on academic freedom and university autonomy.

ASUU-ATBU called on the Executive Secretary of the NUC, the Minister of Education, the Governor of Bauchi State, and the President of Nigeria, as Visitor to the university, to intervene and protect ATBU, its governing council, and academic staff from any intimidation and threats.

“It is against this backdrop that ASUU-ATBU calls on Malam Isa Yuguda to publicly withdraw the statements attributed to him and quietly resign as Chairman of the Governing Council of NOUN,” Haruna said.

However, responding to the allegations, Malam Isa Yuguda denied making the statements attributed to him, describing them as false and manipulated.

In a statement, the former governor said a video widely circulated on social media, which purportedly contained his comments on the proposed conversion of ATBU, had been altered using artificial intelligence.

“While the image in the video is mine, the words and language are foreign to me and not in my lexicon. The content must have been AI-generated,” Yuguda said.

He clarified that although he supports the proposed conversion of ATBU to a conventional university for what he described as valid developmental reasons, he would never insult or disparage professors or those holding opposing views.

“Being a product of the university system and having worked closely with Professors throughout my career, I hold them in the highest esteem and regard,” he added.

On the claim that the College of Medical Sciences commenced long before his intervention, the former Governor dismissed the assertion, saying the union misled him. He stated that he was fully aware of the steps he personally took to ensure the success of the college, which has now produced qualified medical doctors.

He further stressed that those opposing the proposed conversion of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) into a conventional university are not acting out of concern for Bauchi State or its economic development. According to him, lecturers in particular should not be among those resisting a move that would enhance educational growth and development in the state.

He urged stakeholders to engage constructively on the issue, stressing that the proposed conversion was aimed at enhancing educational development in Bauchi State.