The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, has defied an order from the House of Representatives Committee on University Education to suspend the ongoing selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.
Despite a clear directive to pause the process until the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the University’s leadership crisis, Professor Lar scheduled a meeting of the University Senate for Thursday, June 26, 2025. The purpose of the meeting is to elect members of the Governing Council that will oversee the selection of new principal officers.
This action appears to directly challenge the National Assembly, especially as the meeting coincides with the time Professor Lar is expected to appear before the House Committee in Abuja to answer questions regarding the crisis. A separate notice issued by the Deputy Registrar (Establishment), Alkassim M. Umar, also confirmed that the University Congregation will meet at 2 pm on the same day, the exact time of the House Committee hearing, to elect additional members of the Council. This has raised concerns among university staff and observers, with many wondering whether the Acting Vice-Chancellor will honour the Committee’s summons or completely ignore it.
The House Committee had earlier instructed the University to halt all processes following a petition by 98 staff members, who alleged misconduct by the Pro-Chancellor. The petition prompted the Committee, led by Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, to demand that no further action be taken until investigations are concluded.
By proceeding with the meetings, it appears Professor Lar may be on a collision course with the National Assembly, risking a serious confrontation between the university’s management and lawmakers.
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