Why Zazzau Emirate Development Association Reject New ABU VC

The appointment of Professor Kabir Bala as incoming Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria has been rejected by the Zazzau Emirate Development Association (ZEMDA), which has called for a suspension of the entire process and setting up of a committee to investigate the appointment.

Prof. Bala, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who also served as Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies of the University, will assume duty on May 1, 2020. The ABU Governing Council, led by the Chairman, Malam Adamu Fika had in January announced him as the new Vice-Chancellor.

However, in a press release signed by the Zazzau Emirate Development Association (ZEMDA) President, Alh. Ahmadu Maccido and Publicity Secretary, Alh. Sani Ibrahim Tanko, the association said that the appropriate processes for such appointments in universities has not been duly followed in the emergence of the Vice Chancellor.

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The association further stated that by the laws and statutes of the University, as well as its tradition, the first step in the process was to advertise the post in a national daily newspaper, to be followed by constitution of a search team, coupled with a joint Council and Senate selection Board.

It argued that, “Unfortunately, after submission of applications following the advertisement, the search team started their work with ungazetted university laws given to them by the Registrar. From this stage on, many irregularities manifested, which do not inspire confidence at the outcome of the process.”

The statement further noted that the selection board under the Council Chairman was not fair and transparent in discharging its duty of selecting the best three candidates as its focus was targeted at a particular favoured candidate, adding that, “It failed to submit a comprehensive report of the interview exercise indicating the performance of all candidates.”

However, the Chairman, Governing Council, Malam Adamu Fika, when contacted said the allegation has no basis and stressed that the selection board has done its job diligently and complied with required guidelines and due process.

He said there was no basis in calling for the suspension of a process that has already been concluded successfully with the emergence of a new Vice Chancellor, and urged all aggrieved persons to work for the benefit of the University.