The University of Abuja has been plunged into a major governance crisis following the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor whose eligibility is now at the centre of intense legal, regulatory and public scrutiny.
A statement jointly signed by Dr Ajibola Obasanjo, Dr Abdullahi Adamu, Dr Hauwa Shagari and Dr Oluremi Clark, on behalf of Concerned Alumni Stakeholders, University of Abuja, Worldwide.
They said the controversy stems from allegations that the Governing Council did not strictly adhere to the requirements it publicly advertised for the position, particularly the mandatory possession of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.
“When the university announced the vacancy for the office of Vice-Chancellor, the advert clearly listed a Ph.D. as a compulsory qualification, in line with National Universities Commission (NUC) guidelines and long-standing academic practice.
“Administrative law experts insist that such advertised criteria carry statutory force and cannot be waived arbitrarily,” thee statement said.
They added that the statutory remains that once a governing council departs from conditions it set for a competitive recruitment process, the appointment becomes “vulnerable to judicial nullification.”
The crisis, they said deepened when it emerged that the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor holds a Fellowship rather than a Ph.D.
“Recent judicial pronouncements including a National Industrial Court ruling in a case involving the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) have affirmed that a Fellowship certificate is not equivalent to a Ph.D. for academic or administrative appointments in Nigerian universities.
“Legal experts say the ruling now serves as a binding reference point in disputes relating to academic equivalence,” they said.
They are however insisting that the Governing Council must strictly comply with the advertised requirements, arguing that any deviation renders the appointment ultra vires and legally void.
They warned that failure to resolve the issue could expose the university to prolonged litigation, possible regulatory sanctions, administrative stagnation and reputational setbacks.
Retaining a Vice Chancellor allegedly without the mandatory qualification, they argue, amounts to a continuing breach of regulatory compliance.
As tension builds, the University of Abuja faces a defining moment: uphold statutory requirements and institutional tradition, or risk legal and governance uncertainty.
Stakeholders say the next decision of the Governing Council and federal authorities will determine the direction of the institution’s leadership and credibility in the months ahead.