A fresh controversy has emerged at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, following allegations that Education Minister Dr Olatunji Alausa is attempting to influence the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.
Sources within the institution claim the minister is pushing for the reinstatement of Professor Rasheed Hamzat, who was previously dismissed for gross misconduct.
Professor Hamzat was reportedly removed from his position four years ago after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of insubordination and repeated absenteeism.
Despite this, insiders allege that Minister Alausa is lobbying for his return to lead the university, raising concerns about the integrity of the selection process.
The university’s Governing Council, chaired by retired Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu, had shortlisted six candidates for the position of Vice Chancellor.
However, the minister abruptly suspended the process and replaced Colonel Aminu with Ali Abubakar Jatau as Pro-Chancellor.
The Federal Ministry of Education justified the reshuffle as part of a broader reform agenda aimed at promoting transparency in university governance.
Critics within the university community argue that such interference undermines institutional autonomy and could erode public confidence in the education system.
They fear the Vice Chancellor position may be filled based on political considerations rather than merit.
The situation is further complicated by reports that Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda is backing Professor Saddiq Radda for the role.
However, Professor Radda allegedly did not advance beyond the initial screening due to low scores in the strategic vision assessment and a plagiarism evaluation.
As the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Hamisu Armaya’u Bichi, nears its end in May, stakeholders are calling for a transparent and merit-based selection process to uphold the university’s standards and integrity.
