ASUU Bauchi urges reconstitution of Governing Councils of Federal Universities

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use the powers of his office to ensure that Governing Councils of Universities are restored with immediate effect.

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi Branch of the ASUU made the call during a press conference held at its Secretariat at the Yelwa Campus on Monday.

The ASUU which also observed that the Advertisement of Vacancy for the Post of Vice Chancellor in ATBU Bauchi was done by the ATBU management illegally, called on the Minister of Education as the supervisor of the Universities to ensure that the Universities are run according to the Laws of the land and other relevant laws in order to protect what remains in the sanctity of Public Universities in Nigeria.

The minister was also urged to immediately halt the illegally started process of appointment of a Vice Chancellor for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Members of ASUU, Ibrahim Ibrahim Inuwa (PhD), Chairperson, of the ATBU Bauch declared that, “The advertisement of the vacancy for the post of Vice Chancellor in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi (Internal & External Advertisement) published on Sunday January 13th, 2024 in Leadership Weekend Newspaper has got tongues wagging within and outside the University Community due to the absence of the University Council.”

According to him, the Union vehemently rejects the process which he described as illegality, saying that it runs counter to any relevant Law governing the University.

According to ASUU, the said advertisement signed by the Acting Registrar (Custodian of the Law) of the University, Hajiya Aisha Idris stated that the advertisement is at the behest of the Honourable Minister of Education.

“The Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Education hereby announces that the position of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be vacant by the end of April, 2024”, he quoted.

The ASUU Chairperson said that ASUU ATBU found the move very disturbing and unbecoming of the Management of ATBU Bauchi for using the absence of the Council to perpetuate illegality even in the face of unambiguous provisions of the Laws.

Responding to ASUU on the issue, the Management of the university insisted that no law was violated in the said advertisement of the vacancy for the post of the Vice-Chancellor in ATBU Bauchi, published on Sunday January 13th, 2024 in leadership Weekend Newspaper.

The Director of information of the university, Alhaji Zailani Bappa said the university Management did not violate any law, pointing out that even though the Governing Council of the university has not been constituted, the Minister of Education performs the responsibilities of the Council until the time the Council will be constituted.

He pointed out that in the absence of the Council, there were promotions that were released across all the University.

He said in University administration, employment of staff, promotion and discipline are the responsibility of the Council, but, in the absence a Council, the Minister of Education performs the responsibilities.