The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has called for an immediate suspension of the vice-chancellor appointment process at the University of Abuja, citing unresolved leadership disputes and a contentious land revocation by the FCT Minister.
Committee Chairman Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) issued the directive Friday after meeting with Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Patricia Lar, emphasizing the need to preserve academic stability.
“We urged relevant stakeholders to put on hold all processes that will lead to emergence of the new VC until controversies resulting in the leadership tussle are addressed,” Fulata stated.
“The committee is completely against anything that will affect the calendar and smooth running of the university system.
“The committee is actively working to reclaim 11,000 hectares of university land revoked by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leaving the institution with only 4,000 hectares. This intervention follows a formal petition from the University of Abuja Alumni Association alleging improper seizure of institutional property.
“The House Committee has taken steps to intervene on the revocation… sequel to a petition by the Alumni Association,” Fulata confirmed, noting the association’s concern over the drastic reduction of the university’s land assets.
Prof. Lar disclosed she has less than one month remaining in her six-month interim appointment to stabilize the university before a substantive VC is appointed. The committee’s investigation continues to examine broader issues including due process in recent VC dismissals, dissolution of governing councils and mechanisms for conflict resolution.
The parliamentary intervention seeks to prevent further disruptions at the federal university while addressing both the leadership vacuum and land ownership disputes that threaten its long-term development.
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