Abuja, Nigeria – Tension is brewing at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) as senior academic staff express dissatisfaction over the appointment of Professor Aisha Maikudi as the institution’s substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC).
According to reliable sources within the university, many senior professors believe that the appointment of Maikudi, who has only two years of post-professorial experience, undermines merit, scholarship, and career progression in the academic system.
Tensions at Senate Meeting
The university’s Senate met on Thursday in a regular session, but the meeting was reportedly overshadowed by discontent over the appointment process. Sources said that an unusually high presence of security personnel, particularly vigilante operatives, around the Senate Chambers raised concerns among academic staff.
A professor, who spoke anonymously, stated that the presence of armed security personnel and non-academic staff at the meeting signaled the growing unease within the institution.
“This ugly development is an indication that there is tension in the university. Many Senate members remain deeply dissatisfied with the selection process that led to Professor Aisha Maikudi’s appointment,” the source said.
According to reports, a senior professor attempted to raise a motion to discuss an alleged attack on Senate members by a vigilante group in December 2024. However, he was shouted down, and the microphone was taken away before he could fully articulate his point.
Furthermore, the presence of non-academic staff inside the Senate Chamber, allegedly pretending to provide secretariat support, added to concerns that the university’s administrative independence was being compromised.
Mass Walkout as Professors Protest
The dissatisfaction within the university community was evident as many members of the Senate staged a walkout from the meeting. The poor attendance at the session also reflected a growing fear for personal security among academic staff.
“Many professors avoided the meeting due to fear for their safety. The situation at the University of Abuja is deteriorating rapidly, and if left unaddressed, it will have dire consequences for the institution,” another source stated.
Morale at an All-Time Low
Academic staff at UNIABUJA reportedly feel demoralized and unmotivated due to what they describe as an unfair selection process that disregarded long-standing traditions of merit and seniority in Nigerian universities.
“The appointment of a Vice-Chancellor with only two years of post-professorial experience is a serious setback for academic excellence. It sends the wrong message to hardworking scholars who have spent decades building their careers,” a senior professor lamented.
Calls for Intervention
With tensions escalating, many stakeholders are calling on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene before the crisis further disrupts academic activities at UNIABUJA.
As of now, the university administration has yet to issue an official response to the growing unrest.
