Forty-three professors and members of the University of Abuja Senate have accused the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, of unilaterally setting the date for the institution’s 29th convocation ceremony.
The professors and members of the Senate accused Maikudi of unilaterally fixing the date for the next convocation and seeking the approval of the Visitor of the school, President Bola Tinubu, without the prior approvals of the University Senate and the Governing Council.
Maikudi, in a letter dated December 18, 2024 and received by the office of the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) on December 27, 2024, proposed two dates to the President for consideration for the convocation, and asked him to pick whichever one is convenient for him.
She claimed the letter was sent on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate and the management, contrary to the position of the 43 professors and members of the Senate.
The letter addressed to President Tinubu through the Minister of Education and the NUC Executive Secretary is titled, ‘Proposed Dates For The 29th Convocation Ceremony Of The University Of Abuja.’
It reads, “On behalf of the Governing Council, Senate and Management of the University of Abuja; I have the profound honour to notify the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and Visitor to the University of Abuja, of the proposed dates for the University 29th Convocation Ceremony.
“It is therefore, with utmost humility, I propose to the Visitor that the events of the Convocation Ceremony hold on Saturday, 15th or Saturday, 22nd February, 2025 whichever is more convenient for the Visitor. The event would take place at the Main Campus of the University along Airport Road.”
“The Visitor Sir, the University looks forward to your kind approval of any of the proposed dates,” Maikudi added.
A flyer obtained by SaharaReporters shows that February 6, 2025 has been fixed for the convocation.
The aggrieved university dons said they were not carried along by the school’s vice chancellor.
Meanwhile, in a petition filed by the 43 professors and members of the Senate to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, asked the House Committee on University Education to question the VC on she “decided to unilaterally fix the date for the next convocation, sought the approval of the Visitor without the mandatory prior approvals of the University Senate and the Governing Council.”
They alleged that gross irregularities, blatant disregard for due process, violations of relevant laws and regulations, favouritism, abuse of privileges, undue interference, and lack of fairness marred the selection process for the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Abuja.
According to them, the lapses “culminated in the unfortunate imposition of Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, the least qualified applicant as the substantive Vice-Chancellor”.