The University of Abuja has announced the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as its seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, a decision accompanied by heated controversies and protests.
The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement issued by the acting Director of Public Affairs, Habib Yakoob, following the approval of the governing council under the chairmanship of Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd).
According to the statement, Maikudi’s appointment, effective January 1, 2025, is for a non-renewable tenure of five years.
The appointment process, however, was marred by allegations and disputes. Stakeholders accused the governing council of favoring Maikudi, claiming she lacked the required years of experience to qualify for the role of Vice-Chancellor.
The selection process reportedly created divisions within the council, with some members boycotting meetings related to the appointment.
Despite the controversies, the statement emphasized that Maikudi emerged as the most qualified candidate among the 10 shortlisted by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board.
“The Governing Council of the University of Abuja has approved the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the 7th substantive vice-chancellor of the University.
This decision was reached during the 77th Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, December 31, 2024,” the statement read.
Maikudi’s appointment marks a new chapter for the institution, but the surrounding tensions highlight the challenges of navigating governance and transparency in higher education.
As the university community prepares to welcome its new leader, debates over the fairness and transparency of the process are expected to continue.