A disturbance, purported to be a protest of professors, has broken out at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) campus.

The campus has been in a state of uncertainty in recent months over controversies surrounding the appointment of a vice-chancellor.

A law professor Aisha Maikudi had assumed duties as the acting VC after the expiry of Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah’s tenure in late June.

Na’Allah, in the absence of a governing council at UniAbuja, advertised for the VC position through the minister of education in March.

This sparked an 82-day protest from academic staff who argued that only the council has the authority to issue such an advertisement.

A council was inaugurated; the advert was reviewed in August and extended by a six-week application window to elapse in early October.

A subsequent delay in the commencement of the VC selection process prompted an intervention from the education ministry, under the new minister Tunji Alausa’s oversight, which reportedly directed that the selection be concluded by or before December 31, 2024.

VC selection requires a board of five comprising two university council members, two from the university senate, and the pro-chancellor.

Management sources in UniAbuja told TheCable on Tuesday that there was an election to choose the selection board’s senate representatives but the elected parties refused to validate or take part in the VC selection process.

“According to them, it is their work to shortlist candidates and set criteria. The council objected, saying it is its work to do all that. It said it would give the selection committee the criteria to score the candidates and produce three from a shortlist,” the source said.

“The selection committee wrote a letter to the council three weeks ago to protest. The council invited the legal adviser to the university. He explained that it is the responsibility of the council to do the shortlisting, do the criteria, and then hand over.”

TheCable understands that the university council was meant to hand over 40 VC candidates who were shortlisted out of 87 applicants, but the meeting could not take place on December 23 due to the protesting senate members who refused to participate in the process.

“They forced the academic staff union to have a congress, believing they could get the union to reject the process. But ASUU resolved that the process should continue and that the council should be fair, transparent, and impartial,” the management source explained.

A meeting was to hold at 9am in the presence of the pro-chancellor and the acting VC to replace the senate members of the joint council and senate selection board (JCSSB) but it was shifted until noon following mediation by the UniAbuja academic staff union.

Abubakar Umar Kari, UniAbuja’s dean of student affairs, said the senate members boycotted the meeting and invited journalists.

He said the journalists were accosted by officers of the UniAbuja campus security who deflated their tyres in an ensuing confrontation.

“There was no protest. Our security people were only overzealous. They saw an interview some people granted. They accosted them and deflated their tyres, not knowing the implication of what they were doing,” Umar said.

The University of Abuja’s Alumni Association has rejected the federal government’s plan to rename the institution after former Nigerian head of state Yakubu Gowon.

Earlier, the federal executive council approved the renaming of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to Yakubu Gowon University.

The move, the council said, is in honour of Gowon under whose leadership Nigeria fought against secessionism in 1967.

In a statement, the UNiAbuja alumni association described the move to rename the institution as “a right step in the wrong direction”.

It cited concerns about the destruction of the university’s legacy, the financial costs, and logistical challenges.

While acknowledging Gowon’s contributions to national unity, the alumni argued that renaming the university would undermine its branding efforts, complicate administrative processes, and diminish its accumulated prestige.

The association proposed alternative ways to honour Gowon, such as renaming Eagle Square after him or establishing a new institution or research centre in his name.

Students at the University of Abuja have also voiced their opposition, staging a peaceful protest and launching an online petition that has garnered thousands of signatures.

The alumni association has submitted letters to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the national assembly, the minister of education, and the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to express their opposition and propose alternative solutions.

The association emphasised that the name “University of Abuja” reflects the institution’s geographical and national identity, symbolising the convergence of Nigeria’s diverse cultures and histories.

The alumni urged the government to focus on strengthening the university rather than renaming it, warning that the move could erode the sense of pride and identity among alumni, students, and staff.

The association also criticised the lack of consultation and public involvement in the decision-making process, describing it as a “top-down imposition”.

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has donated N2 million to Mu’assasatu Balarabe Bello Hamza Islamic School, located on Sokoto Road in the state capital.

The donation was announced during the Qur’anic graduation ceremony of 13 students held on Sunday at the school premises.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, the governor highlighted the significance of learning the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings in daily life.

He congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on the milestone and encouraged them to expand their knowledge beyond religious studies.

A press statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment at Kano Government House, Usman Gwadabe, revealed that certificates were presented to the 13 graduates during the event.

Speaking at the occasion, the Head Teacher, Mallam Jamilu Yusha’u, stated, “The school was named after the late Balarabe Bello Hamza, who established the school for special extra lessons for children during the holidays.”

However, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive him and reward him for the good work he did for the benefit of humanity.

In his remarks, the Director-General of Protocol, Kano Government House, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the parents and the school authorities appreciated Yusuf’s good gesture for the “donations and for his administration’s readiness toward improving the educational sector in the state.”