A Civil society organization, Kwararafa League for Good Governance has raised alarm over what it describes as a coordinated attempt to undermine the ongoing process of appointing a new Vice Chancellor at the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State.
In a strongly worded petition addressed to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa the group condemned a recent lawsuit filed at the National Industrial Court, Abuja, by three academic staff of the university Professors Ahmad Galadima, Ibrahim Garba Zurmi, and Dr. Anas Sani Anka against the University’s Governing Council and Management.
The petitioners had challenged the Council’s adoption of a minimum ten (10) years post-Professorial experience requirement for applicants vying for the position of Vice Chancellor, a criterion they argued was designed to disqualify certain candidates.
However, the Kwararafa League insists the criterion is valid and aligns with directives issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), particularly a pronouncement made by the Minister in May 2025 emphasizing adherence to this standard by all university councils.
“It is important to note that for the fact that some universities refused to abide by the directive does not make it legal or constitutional,” the group stated in the petition signed by its coordinator, Samuel Bature.
The group also accused the petitioners of pursuing selfish agendas and attempting to destabilize the institution.
They alleged that the Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Aminu Sani Isaac, may have prior connections to one of the claimants Professor Ahmad Galadima who reportedly received informal assurances of being appointed Vice Chancellor despite not meeting the advertised requirements.
Describing the lawsuit as “baseless and malicious,” the group maintained that the University has operated in full compliance with applicable laws and guidelines, and called on the Minister not to recognize or support the ongoing legal challenge.
“This representation is made in good faith, as a body committed to fairness, justice, and the development of education in Nigeria,” the petition stated.
The League has also urged the Minister to direct the University’s Governing Council to take disciplinary action against the trio involved in the litigation, citing their actions as detrimental to the peace and credibility of the university system.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the President of the National Industrial Court, and the Pro-Chancellor of FUGUS.
As the legal and administrative battle continues, stakeholders in the education sector await the Ministry’s response and the final outcome of the Vice Chancellor selection process.
