In a significant turn of events, the Nigerian Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has agreed to meet with a delegation of 43 aggrieved professors and Senate members from the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), following widespread concerns regarding the recent appointment of the university’s new Vice-Chancellor (VC).
This development comes after mounting pressure from the academic community, where faculty members, including prominent professors, voiced their dissatisfaction with the process and outcome of the VC selection. The concerns raised centered around allegations of irregularities, lack of transparency, and the perceived marginalization of qualified senior academics within the university.
The meeting between the Education Minister and the concerned professors and Senate members, which took place earlier today in Abuja, marks a critical step in addressing the brewing crisis at UNIABUJA. Sources within the meeting disclosed that Mallam Adamu Adamu expressed his commitment to investigating the claims thoroughly and ensuring that the interests of the academic staff are safeguarded.
"The Ministry of Education remains dedicated to upholding the integrity of the academic system and promoting fairness in the appointment of university leadership," said Adamu during the meeting. "We are here to listen to the concerns of all stakeholders, and we will work towards a resolution that ensures the advancement of UNIABUJA's academic mission."
The meeting’s outcome will be closely monitored by both academic and political observers, as the University of Abuja, one of the country's prominent public institutions, grapples with internal discord and the potential ramifications of the VC appointment on its future direction.