The Voice of African Universities (VAU) has dismissed as “baseless and archaic” a petition submitted to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, alleging a breach of federal pointers within the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi because the Appearing Vice-Chancellor of the College of Abuja.
In a press assertion launched on Thursday and signed by its Director of Public Relations, Jean Luck Aglogan, the group criticized the petition’s reliance on the declare {that a} Vice-Chancellor should have 10 years of post-professorial expertise.
“This outdated notion undermines the evolution of world academia, the place benefit and progressive management have grow to be the hallmarks of college administration.
The difficulty of years post-professorial expertise is an outdated factor as even in Nigeria, there are various universities whose Vice Chancellors had been appointed with out such clause and a typical instance is the Usman Danfodio College Sokoto,” the assertion learn.
VAU emphasised that Professor Maikudi’s intensive management expertise surpasses standard necessities.
“Her cumulative roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the College of Regulation, and Head of the Division of Public Regulation greater than qualify her for the place,” the group argued. They described the insistence on inflexible standards as “regressive and counterproductive” in in the present day’s educational panorama.
Highlighting Professor Maikudi’s achievements, the group famous, “Below her management, the College of Abuja has gained visibility on the worldwide stage. She represented the establishment at conferences in Japan and Paris, successfully positioning it as a hub of excellence. Earlier than her tenure, many didn’t even acknowledge the college’s potential.”
The group referred to as on the Minister of Education to take a progressive stance in addressing the petition.
“As a scholar with worldwide publicity, significantly in america, the Minister understands the necessity for progressive management in academia. We name on him to revisit outdated legal guidelines just like the 10-year post-professorial requirement, which exclude most of the brightest minds from contributing to college management,” the group acknowledged.
VAU additional alleged that the petition was fueled by ulterior motives, accusing the Chairman of the Governing Council, Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Isma’ila Kaita (Rtd), of main a marketing campaign to tarnish Professor Maikudi’s status.
“It’s no secret that Professor Maikudi’s refusal to succumb to Kaita’s militaristic type of governance has made her a goal,” the group claimed.
Additionally they criticized the broader follow of appointing retired army personnel as pro-chancellors of universities.
“Universities are facilities of information and innovation, not army barracks. The imposition of a inflexible, hierarchical strategy stifles educational freedom and growth,” the assertion learn.
VAU concluded by reaffirming its assist for Professor Maikudi’s affirmation because the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the College of Abuja.
“By advantage of her training, expertise, and imaginative and prescient, Professor Maikudi is the best chief for the College of Abuja. It’s crucial that the Minister acknowledges her contributions and elevates her to the place she rightfully deserves,” the group acknowledged.
