The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, led by Air Vice Marshall Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), has said that it complied with the extant laws and laid down procedures and processes in appointing Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja.
Acting Registrar of the University and Secretary to Council, Mrs Islamiyat Adulrahim, made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to allegations that extant laws and due process were not followed in the appointment of Aisha Maikudi as new Vice Chancellor of the University.
She noted that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the Council in making the appointment announced on 31st December 2024, strictly complied with the relevant provisions of the two main acts guiding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of the University, namely, the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, NO 1 of 2007.
Adulrahim, however, appealed to losers in the contest to accept the outcome of the selection process in great sportsmanship and maturity for the University to forge ahead.
“The Council is not unaware of complaints raised by some interested parties in the course of the transition process, which commenced as far back as March 2024 when the University initially advertised the position of Vice-Chancellor.
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“However, it is important to note that all such concerns and issues were considered and efforts made to resolve the issues amicably with the active involvement of major stakeholders in the University, including the Senate and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),” the acting Registrar stated.
She added that this explained the wide and enthusiastic acceptance of the announcement of the new Vice-Chancellor within and beyond the University community.
“Council appreciates that in a contest of eighty-seven applicants with only one winner expected to emerge, the losers must exhibit great sportsmanship and maturity to accept the outcome.
“This is necessary for the University to forge ahead and allow the brand-new substantive Vice-chancellor who served in an acting capacity in the past six months, to unfold and pursue her vision for the University in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and enduring corporate harmony.”
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