ASUU UDUS Chapter Rejects Vice-Chancellor Vacancy Advert: A Fight for Transparency and Autonomy

In a bold move to defend the principles of transparency, equity, and merit-based selection of university principal officers, the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) chapter has rejected the recent advertisement for the institution’s Vice-Chancellor position.

This decision comes in the wake of concerns over the federal government’s actions to cancel the miscellaneous provisions in the university system, which, according to ASUU, undermines the established procedures and autonomy of Nigerian public universities.

The tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor of UDUS will end by July 2024, prompting the advertisement for a new Vice-Chancellor.

However, the ASUU UDUS chapter, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Nuruddeen Almustapha and Shu’aibu Sadiku, has voiced strong opposition to the vacancy advertisement.

The union has pointed out that the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) arbitrary dissolution of the university’s governing council and all federal universities’ governing councils in June 2023 has created an environment where proper procedures and the autonomy of Nigerian public universities are being threatened.

ASUU UDUS has expressed concern that the federal government’s decision to cancel the miscellaneous provisions in the university system and the subsequent advertisement for the Vice-Chancellor position without the involvement of the university’s governing council is a clear violation of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993.

This Act explicitly outlines the composition, roles, and dissolution procedures of university governing councils, as well as the protocol in the event of the council’s absence, particularly regarding the appointment of principal officers.

The union has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, and other critical stakeholders to reconstitute the governing councils of public universities as a matter of urgency.

This would ensure that universities operate legally and smoothly, aligning with the provisions of the law and upholding the autonomy and independence of universities by adhering to established procedures and safeguarding their integrity.

ASUU UDUS has also urged the government to investigate all manners of violations of the law in the recent actions taken by various universities in the absence of the government councils.

This move is intended to prevent any potential abuse of power and ensure that the principles of transparency, equity, and merit-based selection of university principal officers are upheld.

The UDUS chapter of ASUU has taken a strong stance against the federal government’s actions, highlighting the importance of maintaining the integrity and academic freedom of Nigeria’s public universities.

The union’s opposition to the vacancy advertisement for the Vice-Chancellor position is a clear indication of its commitment to protecting the principles of transparency, equity, and merit-based selection of university principal officers.