Yusuf Maitama Sule varsity: ASUU demands removal of governing council chair

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education Kano (YUMSFUEK) branch, has called for the immediate removal of Professor Ahmad Adamu, the current Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, from his position as Chairman of YUMSFUEK’s Governing Council. The union alleged that his dual role constitutes a conflict of interest that has undermined the university’s governance and violated due process.

In a strongly worded petition signed by the branch chairman, Dr. Bashir Ibrahim, along with five other executive members, and submitted to the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Maruf Tunji Alausa, ASUU raised several concerns. Chief among them was the alleged attempt by the Governing Council to unilaterally appoint a new Vice Chancellor without adhering to the Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. The union also rejected what it described as a plan to reappoint the outgoing Acting VC, Dr. Sadi Mohammed Sirajo, as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor without consultation or transparency.

ASUU accused the Governing Council of excluding statutory representatives from the Senate, Congregation, and Convocation in the VC selection process—an act which, they argue, renders the Council illegally constituted and any decisions made, including VC appointments, null and void.

The union further alleged that Professor Adamu’s leadership has been marred by bias, lack of transparency, and manipulation. According to the petition, his primary allegiance remains with ABU, thereby creating a serious conflict that has led to the marginalisation of stakeholders and the imposition of favoured candidates. “Under his leadership, the Council has operated in secrecy, suppressed dissent, and pushed through decisions detrimental to the university’s autonomy and growth,” the union stated.

Regarding Dr. Sirajo, ASUU claimed that he had overstayed his mandate, obstructed institutional upgrades, and used his influence to sideline opposition voices within the university. The union accused him of withholding critical documents from the Council, victimising staff who challenged his extended stay, and denying them promotions and training opportunities.

ASUU warned that failure to address these grievances could lead to a full-blown crisis at YUMSFUEK. The union called on the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other regulatory bodies to take immediate steps to restore order, legality, and credibility to the university’s governance.

At the time of reporting, neither the Governing Council nor the university management had issued an official response to the allegations.