UNIABUJA Call for Reinstatement of Professor Aisha Maikudi as Vice Chancellor

A call has been made for the reinstatement of Professor Aisha Maikudi as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

This appeal comes after President Bola Tinubu removed her from the position and appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month term.

Professor Maikudi's removal was announced on February 6, 2025, amidst controversy surrounding her appointment, which some faculty members claimed was flawed and plagued by irregularities. The President's decision to sack Maikudi was part of a broader leadership overhaul in Nigeria's tertiary education sector.

The call for Maikudi's reinstatement highlights concerns about fairness, due process, and the implications for academic leadership in Nigerian universities. It is argued that Maikudi's experience and academic credentials make her more suitable for the position compared to others, such as Professor Ngozi Lemci, who was appointed to a similar role despite having less post-professorial experience.

The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the University of Abuja and the broader higher education sector in Nigeria. Reinstating Professor Maikudi would affirm a commitment to merit-based appointments and institutional integrity.