The race for the replacement of Professor Arma Ya'u, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsinma, is getting hot as tenure of Vice is ending soon. Although, sources within the university alleged that the Minister of education is pushing for the reinstatement of Professor Rasheed Hamzat—an academic whose appointment was previously terminated for gross misconduct about four years ago.
However, fresh concerns over alleged political interference in Nigeria’s higher education sector have emerged, as Education Minister Dr. Olatunji Alausa is orchestrating a behind-the-scenes campaign to install his preferred candidate as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State immediately the current VC will be going soon. It was learnt Hamzat was dismissed four years ago after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of insubordination and repeated absence from duty.
Despite his unwanted record that lead to his punishment, the Minister is said to be working for him to lead the raising university of Dutsinma, raising questions about the integrity of the selection process which only the council has the sole mandate to do so. Observers opined that appointing Hamzat would not only contravene internal council rules, since he was a council member, removed for disciplinary reasons, but could also set a bad precedent for institutional accountability and transparency.
Pundits called for free hand in the selection process that would set a good paradigm shift for posterity and his return to head the university would set a negative message to defaulters including staffs and students who may be found wanting. Though, another sources who crave for anonymity said, Prof Radda who send petitioned to ministry of education last week on exclusion of his name out of those initially selected to contest for the plum VC's posting. Radda is reportedly having the support of state government to head the university. Similarly, Radda reportedly did not advance beyond the initial screening stage due to low scores in both the strategic vision assessment and a plagiarism evaluation.
The university's Governing Council, under the chairmanship of retired Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu, had shortlisted six candidates for the final stage of the recruitment process. But in an abrupt and controversial move on Monday, Minister Alausa suspended the process entirely, just days after the shortlist was finalised.
Even more striking was his decision to remove Colonel Aminu as Pro-Chancellor and replace him with Ali Abubakar Jatau. The government justified the change as part of a broader “reform” agenda to promote transparency in university governance.
In a clarified statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, issued by spokesperson Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, claimed the reshuffle was aimed at fostering “fairness, transparency, and good governance.” But many in the university community aren’t buying it. “This is a hostile takeover, plain and simple,” said a senior staff member who requested anonymity. “The Minister is clearly manoeuvring to hijack the process and install someone who serves his interests, not the university’s.”
Pundits believes that interference of key government officials in national assignment always failed the expected service delivery at various level therefore, the case of Dutsinma shouldn't be treated with lavity as Prof Arma Yau's tenure is ending despite his records of achievements for the years he's managing the university from a jungle stage to its advance stage of today. Therefore, consolidation is what's expected in the best interest of the public not interest of any individual imposing anybody for egocentrism. It'll be recalled, president Tinubu has on numerous occasions affirmed his commitment to fair service delivery and credibility in selecting public servant.
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