Prof. Sadiq Isah Radda, a prominent contender for the Vice Chancellor position at Federal University, Dustin Ma (FUDMA), has raised concerns over an allegedly biased selection process.
In a petition submitted to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on April 25, 2025, Radda accused the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armayau Bichi, of trying to impose a candidate with lower qualifications.
Radda, a professor at Bayero University, Kano, stated that despite meeting all the criteria set out in the university’s advertisement, several qualified candidates, including himself, were unjustly excluded from the race.
He claimed that Prof. Bichi pushed for Prof. Jamilu Shehu, a personal associate, to take over the position.
According to Radda, Prof. Bichi had openly opposed his candidacy, even saying it would be over his “dead body” for someone like him to become the Vice-Chancellor.
In his petition, Radda accused Prof. Bichi of using his influence to cover up alleged financial mismanagement and recruitment fraud at the university.
He further urged the Education Minister to ensure that all qualified candidates are given a fair opportunity to compete for the role.
Radda requested that the Ministry intervene, urging a delay of the scheduled interview date of May 2, 2025, until the process could be reviewed for fairness.
He called on the Minister to direct the governing council to treat all applicants equally and to reject any attempt to undermine the selection process.
Radda’s petition was also forwarded to the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, the university’s governing council chairman and the ASUU FUDMA chapter.
The controversy has sparked concerns about the integrity of the selection process and whether those vying for the position are being given a level playing field.
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