The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) officials have responded to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announcement of an indefinite strike on campus. Despite the union’s stance, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, ensured that academic and administrative operations proceeded smoothly on all of its campuses. During a meeting with the institution’s management team, he expressed his thoughts in the presence of the provost, deans, directors, and heads of academic departments on the campus.
In a recent announcement, university representative Habib Yakoob reported that Mr. Na’Allah labelled the strike as ‘causing division and being unwarranted’ while ensuring that the institution’s administration would not permit it to disrupt campus operations. The university’s management stated that there is no strike at the institution. Despite initial reports of a strike, the employees and management unanimously agreed that the university’s operations must proceed as usual. Examinations will be conducted, senate meetings will take place, and all other activities will continue without disrupting the academic calendar.
Management violates laws on appointments and promotions.
According to the report, the ASUU chairperson at the campus, Sylvanus Ugoh, announced a strike with no end date following allegations of the university management breaching establishment laws regarding appointments and promotions in the absence of a governing council. The union is now split due to the strike, with Umar Kari and Mohammed Yisa leading a group of members who are against Mr. Ugoh’s decision and claim that he is not acting in good faith. However, Mr. Ugoh defended the strike by alleging that the university management was overstepping its authority by making decisions meant for the governing council, which did not exist.
He argued that the advertisement for the next vice-chancellor to replace Mr. Na’Allah was against the law as it violated the university’s Establishment Act. He criticised the management for irregularly hiring and promoting staff members. The university’s ASUU chapter has also criticised its current leadership for allegedly undermining ASUU’s interests during the founding of the UniAbuja Microfinance Bank. However, Mr. Na’Allah refuted the accusations made by the lecturers’ union against the school administration. He maintained that the union’s concerns were based on emotions and clarified that certain matters had already been addressed through discussions.
Dean elections and microfinance bank plans were circulated in advance.
Also, as he stated, the Ministry of Education placed the advertisement for the position of vice-chancellor. As vice-chancellor, his sole task was to inquire about the next steps, which they deemed necessary. He emphasised that starting from the advertisement makes it obvious. The only requirement was to forward it for implementation. He refuted the union’s claims of illegal recruitment, promotion delays, deanship election delays, and microfinance bank establishment as baseless. He assured that the university had followed proper procedures and contacted the relevant oversight bodies.
Also, he pointed out that the schedule for dean elections and the creation of a microfinance bank had been widely shared in advance. Four deans had already been elected through the process. The university administration disclosed that they had allocated more than ₦200 million towards establishing the microfinance bank, while ASUU had only contributed ₦4 million. Following this, ASUU directly contacted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to request that they not authorise the bank to begin operating. The bank’s role is to provide essential services and support to the local community, catering to a wide range of individuals, such as market vendors, farmers, and small to medium-sized business owners.
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Lastly, the vice-chancellor assured that his team has dedicated significant effort towards enhancing the university’s growth and will not simply stand by while a small faction disrupts its schedule. The university has successfully elevated itself over the past four years by achieving academic and infrastructural advancements of a world-class standard. They have implemented an integrated portal for transparent access to results, enhanced the university’s branding, introduced foreign languages, established new faculties, and expanded various departments, among other significant accomplishments.
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UNIABUJA: Website
