The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has summoned Education Minister, Morufu Alausa, regarding accusations of the indiscriminate dismissal of vice-chancellors.
The committee also asserted that Alausa was implicated in the disbandment of university governing councils. The committee’s chairman, Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), made this announcement during a meeting in Abuja.
Fulata indicated that the minister’s appearance was essential due to a number of petitions the committee has recently received against him.
He mentioned that some of the universities affected included Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, and the University of Nigeria in Nsukka.
Naija News reports that the lawmaker expressed that the education sector is currently facing challenges due to unstable leadership, which has arisen from unilateral decisions regarding the dissolution of governing councils and the removal of substantive vice-chancellors.
He also highlighted the instances of appointing acting vice-chancellors, among other issues.
Fulata remarked that such uncertainties present a significant threat to the sector, as they may foster unnecessary discord among university officials.
He warned that this could jeopardise the tenure and stability of the education system and lead to the misuse of relevant laws and provisions.
A representative of the concerned staff of the University of Abuja, Abubakar Kari, expressed that the dismissal of Aisha Maikudi from her role as Vice-Chancellor, along with the dissolution of the council on February 6, 2025, was unexpected for them.
Kari, addressing a petition titled ‘Unwarranted Removal of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor and Dissolution of Governing Council of University of Abuja’, condemned the situation.
He mentioned that Air Vice Marshal Ismaila Kaita (retd) was also removed from his position as chairman of the council, while Senator Lanre Tejuoso was appointed to the governing council, and Patricia Lar was designated as the acting vice-chancellor.
According to Kari, these actions contravened the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment Act 2003, which explicitly outlines the procedures for the removal of a vice-chancellor.
He clarified that only the governing council of a university possesses the authority to dismiss a vice-chancellor.
He urged the legislators to step in and promptly reinstate Ms. Maikudi to her position, as well as to guarantee that council members fulfill their terms as elected representatives of the University Senate and congregation.
In their individual statements, Ms. Maikudi and Mr. Kaita informed the committee that, as of now, they had not received any correspondence regarding their dismissal.
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