ASUU Petitions FG Over VC Appointment at Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education

Lecturers at Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education have petitioned the FG over an alleged flawed VC appointment.

They claim due process was ignored and demand a transparent, inclusive selection under a reformed council.

Lecturers at the newly upgraded Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, have formally petitioned the federal government, raising serious concerns over the appointment of the institution’s vice chancellor. The academic staff, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), allege that the appointment process violated established procedures and lacked transparency.

In a petition dated June 12, 2025, and addressed to the Minister of Education, the union claimed the selection process was manipulated by the university’s Governing Council in what they described as a breach of due process. They argued that the council ignored standard rules guiding the appointment of vice chancellors in federal universities.

According to the petitioners, the process was devoid of fairness and legitimacy, accusing the Governing Council of orchestrating a biased process that served a predetermined agenda. “The appointment was not only flawed but carried out in a manner that sidelined key university stakeholders,” the petition read.

One of the central issues raised by the aggrieved lecturers is the alleged exclusion of statutory representatives from the decision-making process. They noted that critical arms of the university, such as the Senate, Congregation, and Convocation, were not represented in the Council’s composition, thereby undermining the integrity and inclusivity of the selection exercise.

The lecturers argue that these statutory bodies play a vital role in university governance and should not have been sidelined during such a significant appointment. Their absence, they say, casts doubt on the credibility and legality of the entire process.

The petition was jointly signed by senior academic staff members, including Bashir Ibrahim, Ibrahim Adamu Kabuga, Abdusamad Kabuga, Abdulkareem Ahmad Tijjani, and Habibu Ahmad Garba. These lecturers are calling on the federal government to invalidate the current appointment and initiate a fresh, transparent selection process under a properly reconstituted Governing Council.

The union also demanded the immediate removal of the current chairman of the governing council. They accused him of bias, incompetence, and acting in ways that suggest a clear conflict of interest. According to the petition, his continued leadership undermines the credibility of the institution’s administration and disrupts harmony among staff.

In addition to questioning the vice chancellor’s appointment, ASUU expressed concern over growing cases of staff victimization allegedly linked to their stance on the disputed selection process. The union urged the government to intervene by investigating reports of harassment and ensuring those targeted for expressing dissent are adequately compensated.

The lecturers emphasized that the university, having recently transitioned to federal status, must uphold the highest standards of accountability and good governance. They warned that continued silence from the government on such critical issues could breed discontent and negatively affect the university’s growth.

The Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, which was upgraded to a federal institution in 2023, is still in its formative years. Stakeholders believe that getting the governance structures right from the start is crucial to building a reputable academic institution.

Meanwhile, education observers are calling for swift government intervention to resolve the crisis. Many argue that the federal authorities must demonstrate commitment to fairness and due process, especially in higher education, where transparency and institutional credibility are paramount.

If the government heeds the union’s call, it could lead to a reversal of the current vice chancellor’s appointment and a reset of the entire selection process, ensuring that future appointments reflect merit, inclusivity, and adherence to established protocols. Until then, tensions remain high within the university community, with academic staff vowing to press on with their demands.