By Idris Auwal
A group, Voice of African Universities, VAU, has labelled a petition submitted to Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, alleging a breach of federal guidelines in the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani-Maikudi as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, as baseless and archaic.

The group, in a press statement sent to journalists on Thursday and signed by its Director Public Relations, Jean Luck Aglogan, said the controversial petition hinges on a primitive argument that a V-C must possess 10 years of post-professorial experience.
The statement said: “This outdated notion undermines the evolution of global academia, where merit and innovative leadership have become the hallmarks of university administration.
“The issue of years post professorial experience is an old thing as even in Nigeria, there are many universities whose Vice Chancellors were appointed without such clause and a typical example is the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto,” it said.
VAU emphasized that Mrs Maikudi’s extensive leadership experience far surpasses the traditional requirement.
“Her cumulative roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Head of the Department of Public Law more than qualify her for the position,” the group said, arguing that to insist on such limiting requirements in the 21st century is both regressive and counterproductive.
Highlighting Mrs Maikudi’s international reputation and contributions to the evolution of the university of Abuja since assuming office, the group said, “under her leadership, the University of Abuja has gained visibility on the global stage.
“She represented the institution at conferences in Japan and Paris, effectively positioning it as a hub of excellence. Before her tenure, many didn’t even recognize the university’s potential.”
In an appeal to the minister, the VAU sought adoption of a forward-thinking approach in handling the petition, stating that, “as a scholar with international exposure, particularly in the United States, the Minister understands the need for innovative leadership in academia.
“We call on him to revisit outdated laws like the 10-year post-professorial requirement, which exclude many of the brightest minds from contributing to university leadership,” the group said.