Tension continues to rise over the appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), as 43 professors from the institution have called on President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the current Governing Council, led by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (retd.).

The professors made their position known through a formal petition addressed to President Tinubu, urging him to nullify all actions taken by the current council, including the appointment of Prof. Maikudi.

The petition was submitted on January 2, 2025, and delivered to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting immediate intervention.

In the petition titled “Complaint Regarding the Manipulation of Vice Chancellor Appointment Processes at the University of Abuja”, the professors criticized the selection process for being marred by irregularities, favoritism, and violations of university regulations.

They specifically pointed to the council’s manipulation in favor of Prof. Maikudi and questioned her qualifications for the position.

The appointment of Prof. Maikudi, which was officially announced on December 31, 2024, has sparked controversy due to concerns raised about her limited experience and academic credentials.

The petition highlighted that she had only two years of experience as a professor, a far cry from the minimum ten years required by the university’s own guidelines.

Additionally, the professors claimed that Maikudi lacked sufficient scholarly visibility.

The petitioners also expressed concern about the composition of the Governing Council, criticizing the inclusion of individuals they deemed unqualified for their roles, including a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education and a businesswoman.

They argued that these individuals lacked the expertise needed to ensure the university’s governance was based on academic merit.

In their letter, the professors, many of whom are members of the University Senate, called for the dissolution and reconstitution of the Governing Council to ensure a transparent and fair selection process for the Vice-Chancellor.

They warned that failure to address these concerns would undermine the credibility of the university and potentially set a dangerous precedent for higher education institutions in Nigeria.

Among the petitioners are well-known academics such as Prof. Olanrewaju Aladeitan, Prof. Umaru Muhammed, Prof. Mabel Evwiohana, Prof. Ifeoma Echezona, and Prof. Otaki Alananan, as well as several other senior faculty members.

On Tuesday, a delegation from the group met with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to formally present their concerns.

While details of the meeting remain unclear, the professors’ demand for immediate action to address the alleged irregularities is clear.

The petition underscores a broader dissatisfaction with the ongoing leadership issues at the university, further escalating tensions in an already complex situation.

The professors emphasized that the integrity of the appointment process must be restored to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the country’s higher education system.

The Borno State Executive Council has approved the renaming of Borno State University (BOSU) to Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, in tribute to Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the first Governor of Northern Nigeria.

The decision, made during the council’s first meeting of 2025, was chaired by Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.

According to the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, the change will be implemented once the necessary legislative amendments are made, and relevant regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are notified.

“Council has approved that Borno State University will now be known as Kashim Ibrahim University. This change will be finalized after the State Assembly makes the required amendments to the law that established the university, and the Ministry of Education informs the necessary authorities,” Tar explained.

The council also approved a comprehensive plan for the street naming and house numbering in Maiduguri and other urban areas as part of the state’s urban renewal project.

The initiative will involve collaboration with traditional leaders, federal agencies, and organizations like the Nigerian Postal Service to update public records and platforms such as Google Maps.

“This effort will ensure that accurate and updated names and numbers are integrated into urban planning and governance,” Tar added.

During the meeting, Governor Zulum commended the council members for their dedication in 2024 and outlined plans to further focus on post-conflict recovery, urban development, and improving the welfare of citizens in 2025.

The session also included a valedictory address for the outgoing Head of Service, Barrister Malam Fannami, who will retire later this month.

The council praised his valuable contributions to the state’s growth.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced an extension for the registration period of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, First Series.

Originally set for Monday, January 6, 2025, the new deadline is now Monday, January 20, 2025.

WAEC, through a statement on its official X account, confirmed that this extension will offer additional time for prospective candidates to complete their registration.

The updated timeline on WAEC’s website indicates that candidates now have until January 20, 2025, to generate their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

Moreover, the final step of completing biometrics capture and finishing online registration must be done by Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

The WASSCE for Private Candidates, also known as the General Certificate Examination (GCE) or WAEC GCE, is aimed at students registering individually outside of schools or institutions.

An explosion at an Islamic school in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday has been linked to a bomb brought into the premises by one of the students.

The blast, which occurred at the Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi Village, Bwari Area Council, resulted in two fatalities and left two others injured.

According to eyewitness reports, the student who carried the explosive device had traveled to Abuja from Katsina State just a day before the tragic incident.

The explosion happened when the boy, who had brought the device, was showing it to another student.

Tragically, the boy holding the explosive died instantly, while the second victim succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

The incident left two survivors: a young girl, who is receiving treatment at Kubwa General Hospital, and another boy who has been transferred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital for further care.

The school, a modest three-classroom building designed for nomadic education, was sealed off by police following the explosion.

The FCT Police confirmed the explosion on Monday, though initial reports contradicted eyewitness accounts.

Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh initially stated that three men from Katsina had brought the device to the school, but local accounts suggest that the student himself had brought the bomb.

The police confirmed that the explosive device was an improvised explosive device (IED), with remnants of the device recovered at the scene.

Two of the men who reportedly tampered with the device died in the blast, while a third man and a female trader sustained serious injuries and are under police care.

The owner of the school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu, has been detained for questioning as authorities investigate the incident further.

In a statement, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior or items to the police.