Apprehension as Ex-UNIABUJA Registrar May Emerge Pro-Chancellor
Kuni Tyessi
There is growing apprehension at the University of Abuja that the former Registrar, Mallam MB Modibbo may have been tipped as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the university’s governing council.
Modibbo, who was registrar for eight years, was directed by the Federal Ministry of Education to vacate and hand over office on June 30, 2014, after 35 years in public service. The former council had extended his tenure until he “…attains the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years in service, whichever comes first.”
Consequently, ministry in a letter dated June 29, 2014, signed by the Director, Tertiary Education, Mrs. H.U Abdullahi, directed “…Mr. MB Modibbo to vacate the position of registrar with effect from June 30, 2014 and proceed on his accumulated leave.”
According to the statement from the ministry, reports from the university had been “worrisome” particularly “…the case of Modibbo, whose tenure as registrar has been generating a lot of furore within and outside the university community.”
The ministry had also directed the appointment of “the most senior deputy registrar to oversee the affairs of the registry while the post of a new registrar is advertised without further delay.”
Analysts see the probable return of Modibbo to become pro-chancellor as a revenge mission to crush his perceived enemies and plunge the university into further crisis.
One of those interviewed who identified himself as Idris Mohammed, said, “it has never happened anywhere that a former registrar is brought back as chairman, governing council of any university in Nigeria and I believe the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will not degenerate so low.”
A staff of the university who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation said, “since the former registrar left this place, there has been peace on campus. Staff and students have been going about their normal business; certificates are now issued to graduating students after the issuance of backlogs of over 10 years and there is improved staff- students relationship.
“The coming of the APC government should resist the attempt to cause crisis at the university and concentrate on making the university a model in Nigeria. I do not want a return to anarchy and executive lawlessness in the University of Abuja.”