THE Governing Council of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, has been asked to abide with the transition timetable in the recruitment process for a substantive Vice Chancellor of the University to preserve the prevailing academic peace and social harmony in the institution.
Professor Barnabas Iliya, an alumnus of the institution, made the appeal while speaking to journalists in Abuja, on Sunday.
He said he was compelled to sound the note of caution to ensure that the recrimination that trailed similar exercises in Nnamdi Azikiwe University of Awka and Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja, does not repeat at UNN.
Professor Iliya, who disclosed that he was speaking on behalf of some concerned alumni of UNN from the northern states, argued that the chequered history of the prestigious university makes it imperative that the authorities should proceed with utmost decorum and attention to laid down procedures for the traditional transition and handover month.
He stated that going by the timeline of the ongoing recruitment process for the substantive VC, the name of the successful aspirant should emerge by February 17 or thereabout.
“Thereafter, the transition process begins in March culminating in actual handover around June; that is a four-month period of seamless transition that would equip the new VC with first-hand knowledge of challenges, prospects, and plans of the institution,” Iliya added.
The Don further argued that the recent events in Awka and Abuja give the impression that politicians have descended on the ivory tower for reasons that do not align with academic excellence and nation-building.
Pleading that UNN should be spared of the ongoing crises of recruitment of Vice Chancellors, the Plateau State-born alumnus urged the Federal Ministry of Education to synergise with the university’s governing council to stick to plans and processes leading to the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor that will takeover in June 2025.
“Going by the unfinished process in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where an acting VC has been appointed, good reason demands that the process in Nsukka should also be meticulous to ensure adherence to laid down stipulations.
“We also make this plea based on our findings that the appointment of chairmen of Governing councils of tertiary institutions was mired in controversies, which led Mr. President to cancel the initial list and order fresh nominations.
“It is therefore apposite to conclude that the interest of highly placed politicians has been at the root of the unusual squabbling in the appointment of University Vice Chancellors. In order therefore to ensure that sanity and the finest tradition of academic excellence are observed in the appointment of a substantive VC for our alma mater, the process should proceed according to extant tradition,” Iliya remarked.
Lamenting the negative impacts of allowing hurried transitions in UNN, Iliya recalled how a similar approach was adopted shortly after the end of the civil war, when the Administrator of East Central State, Mr. Ukpabi Asika, was prevailed upon to remove Prof. Eni Njoku as UNN VC.
“When the question of whether to dismantle UNN or reopen it for academic activities was resolved, Prof. Vincent Ike was appointed as Sole Administrator and he ran the university efficiently, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, which helped us to graduate shortly after Prof. Herbert Kodilinye mounted the saddle as substantive VC.
“We believe that the time has come for a substantial overhaul of the administrative systems in federal universities to conform with current realities. Governance of the citadels of learning should be insulated from the interference of partisan political actors. They should proceed with caution to achieve crisis-free transition”, Professor Iliya stated.
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