…FG steps in, appoints another acting VC
… over 30 profs apply for the position.
By Joseph Erunke, Abuja
The appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor for the University of Abuja has been stalled following intense internal wrangling among key stakeholders of the institution.
Investigations revealed that the succession process, which began months ago, has been mired in controversy as different interest groups within the university’s Governing Council, management, and academic community push competing agendas.
Sources said the disagreements revolve around the shortlisting of candidates, alleged procedural breaches, and claims of favouritism. Some factions are reportedly lobbying for candidates considered loyal to them, while others insist on strict adherence to merit-based selection in line with the Federal Universities Act.
The crisis has heightened tension within the campus, with staff unions and senior academics openly expressing concern over the prolonged delay. The absence of a substantive VC, they say, is affecting policy continuity, administrative stability, and the pace of academic development.
Education stakeholders had called on the Federal Government and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene to ensure a transparent and timely resolution, warning that further delay may erode public confidence in the institution’s governance.
The institution, which had been under the acting leadership of Prof. Patricia Manko Lar in the past six months, failed to meet the federal government’s six-month deadline to produce a substantive vice chancellor.
There have been fears that the prolonged deadlock could deepen divisions and hamper the university’s growth.
In a swift response to the development, the Federal Ministry of Education, on Saturday, appointed Prof. Mathew Adamu as another acting vice chancellor. However, the new helmsman is to preside over the affairs of the institution for three months, within which a substantive VC would emerge.
A letter to this effect from the Federal Ministry of Education said President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Prof. Mathew Adamu as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor will serve for a period of three months, effective Monday 11 August 2025.
The ministry’s letter was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan.
With reference number FME/HE/CU/50/12/97, the letter was dated August 8, 2025, and titled ‘Appointment as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja’.
Prof. Adamu takes over from Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, who was appointed for a six-month tenure in an acting capacity in February 2025.
The letter reads in part: “I am pleased to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has graciously approved your appointment as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
“The appointment is for a period of three (3) months with effect from Monday, 11 August 2025.”
The Permanent Secretary specifically charged the Acting Vice-Chancellor to support the Governing Council to effectively conclude the ongoing process for the appointment of a substantive V-C in line with the relevant statutory provisions and extant guidelines.
Until his appointment, Adamu was from the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.
Adamu is a fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria and a member of the Knight of St Mulumba, KSM.
With this appointment, he became the second acting vice-chancellor to be appointed by President Bola Tinubu since Prof. Aisha Maikudi was sacked in February this year.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 30 professors from within and outside the University of Abuja have applied for the position of vice-chancellor, as the institution moves to appoint a substantive head.
The institution’s Governing Council has since begun the selection process in line with the Federal Universities Act. An advert for the position was published a fortnight ago, inviting qualified candidates to apply.
Reliable sources told Vanguard that the applicants include distinguished scholars from various academic disciplines, some serving within UniAbuja and others from prominent universities across Nigeria and abroad.
The selection process, however, is coming against the backdrop of reported internal wrangling among key stakeholders in the institution.
There are concerns that the high number of applicants and lobbying from different interest groups could prolong the process.
Education analysts say the large pool of applicants offers the university a rare opportunity to choose a leader with the vision and competence to advance its academic standing and infrastructure development.
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