ASUU Rejects Advertorial For UNIMAID VC

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri branch, has rejected the advertisement for the institution’s vice chancellor position.

The UNIMAID ASUU equally condemned the dissolution of governing councils of universities by the federal government and said that the June 12, 2023, action by the National Universities Commission (NUC) dissolving the university governing councils following a directive by President Bola Tinubu, violates the universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the current management of the university, led by the vice chancellor, Prof Aliyu Shugaba had recently placed an advertorial on the vacancy of the post of vice chancellor in some national dailies, which was announced by the registrar of the university.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Maiduguri , the chairperson of the university’s branch of ASUU, Dr. Abubakar Saidu , stated that the advertorial, as part of the process of appointing a new vice chancellor, was not acceptable to the union and its members, because it was placed by the university management board in the absence of governing councils.

Saidu said,” It is my singular honour and great pleasure to address this gathering in my capacity as the chairperson of the ASUU University of Maiduguri branch over disturbing events at the university since the illegal dissolution of the university governing councils by the president Bola Tinubu led administration and negative consequences.

“The ASUU University of Maiduguri is criticising the federal government’s dissolution of all governing councils in the federal universities. ASUU UNIMAID expresses concern that the government’s actions threaten transparency, equity, and merit-based selection in choosing university leaders. The recent advertisement for the vice chancellor position at the University of Maiduguri is highlighted as an example.  It was authored by the minister of education, bypassing proper procedures, and raising doubts about the process’s fairness and illegality.

“The union advises the university management concerning any form of activity that is outside its jurisdiction and purely the responsibility of the council. The university must refrain from actions that would jeopardise the integrity of legal exercises, especially the call for interviews to recruit staff in the absence of the university council.

“The union in its demands calls on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, the minister of education, and other stakeholders to immediately reconstitute the governing councils of federal public universities. This is essential for lawful and proper university operations. Respect university autonomy and independence by following established procedures and safeguarding university integrity. Ensure checks to curb potential legal violations arising from recent university actions taken without the governing councils.”