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Crisis at UNIABUJA: Governing Council Members Boycott Meeting Amidst Vice-Chancellor Appointment Controversy

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In a significant escalation of the ongoing dispute regarding the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), external members of the Governing Council chose to boycott a scheduled meeting with the Chairman, Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retired), on Tuesday.

Kaita had convened the council meeting late on Monday, intending to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor by 3:00 PM the following day. However, sources close to the university revealed that the external members were unaware of the Chairman’s plans, as he failed to provide an agenda prior to the meeting.

An anonymous source emphasized that the legal framework governing the selection and appointment of Vice-Chancellors was not being adhered to by the Chairman. The law stipulates that any interview for the Vice-Chancellor’s position is invalid unless the Chairman and two Council members who are not part of the Senate, along with two Senate representatives who are not on the Council, are present. “There is no provision for just one Senate representative or four members. All members must be present for a valid quorum,” the source stated.

The external members who boycotted the meeting included Prof. Raphael Akinfeleye (South West), Mrs. Chisom Dorcas Obih (South East), and Ahaji Sabo Bappayo Ahmed (North East).

In a related development, a group of 67 professors protested at the Ministry of Education on Monday, delivering a letter to Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, calling for the dissolution of the current Governing Council. They urged adherence to legal protocols and traditional practices governing public universities.

The protesting professors accused the Chairman of dismissing over 27 internal applications and 60 external applications—totaling 87 submissions—while only inviting three candidates to favor his chosen nominee, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, despite concerns regarding her qualifications.

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They claimed that the Governing Council was improperly formed, with internal members allegedly selected by former Vice-Chancellor Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah during a strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the institution. Additionally, they criticized the inclusion of a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education and a businesswoman on the council, arguing that they lack the necessary expertise to ensure quality governance in higher education.

The petition highlighted that critical criteria for the Vice-Chancellor position, such as a minimum of ten years of professorial experience, were overlooked in the advertisement for the role published in August 2024. The Acting Vice-Chancellor was reportedly only two years into her professorial career, lacking significant academic visibility and strong credentials.

The dissatisfied academics have called for the dissolution of the current Governing Council and the formation of a new body to manage the selection process. They urged the Minister of Education to nullify all decisions made by the current council, warning that inaction could lead to negative repercussions for other universities.

“We have lost complete faith in the Governing Council to ensure a fair and equitable selection of the most qualified Vice-Chancellor for the University,” their letter stated. “We implore you to take immediate corrective measures to restore the integrity of the selection process by disbanding the current Governing Council, declaring their proceedings null and void, and reconstituting a new body to oversee a fair appointment process for the substantive Vice-Chancellor at the University of Abuja.”

The letter concluded with a solemn warning that failure to address these pressing concerns could have profound implications for the University and the higher education sector in Nigeria, setting a troubling precedent for other institutions.

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Education

INEC: Petition for Natasha’s recall yet to meet constitutional requirement

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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the petition to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has yet to meet constitutional requirement.

The commission stated this in a short notice posted on its X platform.

“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” the notice said.

The commission, however, said that details of why the petition had not met the constitutional requirement would be made available shortly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a group of registered voters from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s senatorial district had, on March 24, submitted a petition to INEC, urging it to commence her recall process from the senate.

The constituents, in the letter signed by the Lead Petitioner, Salihu Habib, and submitted at INEC headquarters, said they no longer had confidence in Akpoti-Uduaghan as their senator and representative in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, INEC had, on March 25, confirmed the receipt of the petition, accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters from the senatorial district.

The commission also said that it had notified the suspended senator about the receipt of the petition to recall her from the national assembly. (NAN)

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NBM Donates Educational Materials To Schools In Ogun State

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In a bid to contribute to educational advancement and development, the Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, Obafemi Owode Sub Zone, under the Ogun Region, has donated educational materials to selected government primary schools in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The initiative aligns with the Support-A-School-Child Project, spearheaded by the national leadership of NBM, aimed at bolstering education across Nigeria.

The donation was presented by Ambassador Tehinse Olanrewaju Ayoola on behalf of the Obafemi Owode Sub Zone.

Speaking at the event, Ayoola emphasised that the gesture would be an ongoing effort, particularly considering that Obafemi Owode is the largest local government area in Ogun State.

He urged students to remain focused on their studies while steering clear of cultism, drug abuse, and other social vices.

According to him, guiding young students in the right direction is crucial in preventing them from straying onto the wrong path.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to NBM of Africa, Obafemi Owode Sub Zone, for their support and prayed for the continued growth of the movement.

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TETFund to Launch 18 New Innovation Hubs Across Nigeria

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled its initiative to establish 18 new Innovation Hubs in tertiary institutions throughout Nigeria in 2025. This effort aims to bolster the nation’s research and innovation landscape.

During the closing ceremony of the 30th Cohort of the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative, held at the Innov8 Technology Hub in Abuja, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono, shared the details of this ambitious project.

Echono emphasized that this initiative reflects TETFund’s dedication to nurturing a culture of problem-solving research, entrepreneurship, and technological progress. He highlighted the critical role of education and research in fostering national development and sustainable growth.

The R4i program, developed in partnership with Innov8 Technology Hub, is designed to enhance the capabilities of researchers and academics, empowering them to conduct innovative research that directly addresses societal challenges.

The Fund is committed to institutionalizing Research & Development (R&D) within Nigerian universities and fostering connections between research and industry. Echono explained that the phased establishment of Innovation Hubs and Entrepreneurship Centres will enable participants to apply their skills continuously and mentor others in their innovative endeavors.

He acknowledged the importance of research in enhancing the quality of life in the nation and expressed gratitude to Innov8 for its collaboration in transforming the innovation ecosystem. Participants were encouraged to leverage their training to develop impactful innovations for their institutions and communities.

“I am pleased to recognize the impressive commitment displayed by participants of previous cohorts during their training, which led to significant innovations addressing various societal needs,” Echono remarked.

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He also noted that several innovations from prior editions were showcased at the inaugural TETFund National Research Fair/Exhibition in November 2024, and he expressed confidence that the current cohort would similarly demonstrate their innovative outputs.

Echono detailed the phased funding approach for establishing Innovation Hubs and Entrepreneurship Centres, stating that the first phase will involve 12 institutions under the 2023 intervention, followed by 18 institutions in the 2024 intervention, and another 18 in 2025.

“These facilities will empower program participants to implement what they have learned at the innovation hubs and guide others,” he added.

Professor Idris M. Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), also addressed the audience, underscoring the necessity of patenting innovations and registering trade names for intellectual property protection. He urged Nigerian polytechnics to spearhead practical innovation by applying scientific principles to develop products and technologies that could enhance Nigeria’s technological status.

Bugaje criticized the country’s dependence on foreign manufactured goods, such as vehicles and electronics, and called for a shift towards local production. He cited examples from Rwanda and Uganda, encouraging polytechnics to promote teamwork and take proactive measures to demonstrate Nigeria’s innovative capabilities, thereby contributing to the national economy.

“I believe many of the innovations you have showcased are patentable, as securing patents is a crucial step in innovation. You must protect your ideas and discoveries. Furthermore, if any names have been proposed, trade name registration is also essential,” he stated.

He emphasized the urgent need for innovation in Nigeria, reminding attendees that despite being one of the world’s largest economies, Nigeria lacks a recognizable indigenous technology. “This training is vital as it fosters teamwork, which is integral to the innovation process,” he concluded.

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Mr. Edward Singhatey, Director at Innov8 Hub, encouraged participants to take the knowledge gained back to their institutions and share it with their students to foster innovation. “We must focus on commercializing our research,” he urged, motivating attendees to utilize the resources at their disposal effectively.

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