University of Abuja has insisted that it complied with extant laws, procedures and processes in the appointment of the seventh substantive vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi.

It denied allegations by 43 academics, who are members of the university Senate that the Governing Council manipulated the selection process in favour of Prof Maikudi.

The Guardian had reported that in a petition to President Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the Visitor to the university, the 43 dons called for the dissolution of the Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita-led Governing Council of the university.

But in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja signed by the Acting Registrar and Secretary to the council, Islamiyat Adulrahim, the Council pointed out that the December 31 2024 announcement of the substantive vice chancellor complied, strictly, with the relevant provisions of the two main acts guiding the appointment of vice-chancellors of the university, namely: the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, NO 1 of 2007.

The statement titled, ‘Alleged breach of extant laws and due process in the appointment of seventh substantive vice chancellor of the University of Abuja’ reads in part: “The council is not unaware of complaints raised by some interested parties in the course of the transition process, which commenced as far back as March 2024 when the university initially advertised the position of vice-chancellor.

“However, it is important to note that all such concerns and issues were considered and efforts made to resolve the issues amicably with the active involvement of major stakeholders in the university, including the Senate and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). That explains the wide and enthusiastic acceptance of the announcement of the new vice chancellor within and beyond the university community.

“Council appreciates that in a contest of 87 applicants with only one winner expected to emerge, the losers must exhibit great sportsmanship and maturity to accept the outcome. This is necessary for the university to forge ahead and allow the brand new substantive vice chancellor, who served in an acting capacity in the past six months, to unfold and pursue her vision for the university in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and enduring corporate harmony.”