NUC Announces Directive Following ASUU Rejection of FG Vice Chancellor Appointment

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has announced directives following the recent rejection by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the federal government's appointment of new vice-chancellors to replace outgoing ones. In a statement released by the NUC, it was revealed that the directive stemmed from the Federal Ministry of Education's notification regarding the conclusion of the tenure of certain vice-chancellors and the urgent necessity to nominate interim replacements.

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The letter from the NUC to the outgoing vice-chancellors, dated May 28, conveyed the directive from the Federal Ministry of Education. According to the letter, vice-chancellors of federal universities nearing the end of their tenures are instructed to nominate, with the recommendation of their respective Senates, a deputy vice-chancellor who will assume the role of vice-chancellor in a temporary capacity.

"The Governing Councils, after their inauguration, will appoint Acting Vice-Chancellors for a period not less than 6 months, during which they will commence the process of appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor," the letter further stated.

The circular emphasized that this directive supersedes any previous communication on the same subject and urged compliance from the concerned parties.

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The issuance of this directive follows ASUU's rejection of the federal government's directive to appoint new vice-chancellors, which sparked controversy and raised concerns within the academic community. ASUU had expressed reservations about the transparency and legality of the process, calling for broader consultations and adherence to due process in the appointment of university administrators.