The Next Most Eligible Vice Chancellor For Ahmadu Bello University

The Next Most Eligible Vice Chancellor For Ahmadu Bello University

Usman, Sule Machika

Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.), have known and enjoyed relative peace for slightly over a decade, since the cleansing period of General Kontagora, (Uncle K). Although, during the Mahdi days, a tense atmosphere permeates the air, especially at the tail end of his tenure, no one can deny that A.B.U. Zaria have outgrown her perennial strikes, riots and closures. There was only one incidence that punctuated the peace and tranquillity of the university throughout the tenure of Prof S.U. Abdullahi, which is coming to an end on May 29, 2009. A decade of peace and tranquillity in A.B.U. Zaria, no student riots, ASUU and NASSU strikes, no strangulation and holding the administration ransomed. It was really amazing, indeed too good to be true. But then it is the truth and nothing but the truth. What was the magic? None save the general acceptability of the University leadership and the leadership style that embraces all and sundry. Leadership that commands the respect as well as loyalty of members of staff, students and university community, it is leadership that breeds trusts – no protests, no agitations of rights and privileges and no petitions for one allegation or the other. All the ‘dynamic and radical’ interest groups were carried along. That fearsome acronym ASUU in A.B.U. was almost forgotten, never was the no-nonsense ASUU as cooperative as in the last five years under Prof Abdullahi.

Five years ago, the Governing Counsel despite so many distractions did a wonderful work in appointing Prof Mahdi’s successor. Their choice was greeted without rancour and five years later posterity has proven them right. The price as always was the peace and tranquillity that graced an organization with a trusted leader. There was one closure of the university in the last five years. That too was very unfortunate because it was linked to the handiwork of some top dons who were eager to rubbish the incumbent administration in an attempt to wrestle power. Names were named as the sponsors of the students uprising. No intension is made here to pay tribute either to that Governing Council or to Prof Abdullahi the outgoing VC, although their successes were commendable.

The present focus is we are at the crossroad again of finding a worthy successor to the outgoing VC. Already an interesting drama is unfolding as opposing forces are using all their aces for an otherwise needless battle over who becomes the next A.B.U.’s Vice Chancellor. Speculations have it that internally, not less than six candidates have emerged – Prof Idris Isa Funtua, Prof Andrew Nok, Prof Rafindadi, Prof Sheik Abdullah, Prof Zakari Mohammed and Prof Nasidi. There is also no intention of assessing the candidates, not to pre-empt the official bodies charged with that responsibility. The primary aim of this contribution is to spell in golden letters ‘the next most eligible VC for A.B.U., Zaria’, by the power invested on me by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello as a Permanent Member of the University Community.

I am fully aware of the underground politicking much on the air for the succession bid. Some of the tricks as expected are really dirty. This is expected in politics especially in the winner takes all syndrome. Usually the cause of such dirty politics emanates from dons who lack competence or simply the conduct to breeze the contest on merit. Politicking is a normal phenomenon for a political post such as the Vice-Chancellorship but there should be limits. For some fouls would definitely attract disqualification.

The major concern here is that whoever wins, the university would be grossly affected either way. We are so use to the peaceful atmosphere that most members of the university community are apprehensive as the S.U tenure is gradually coming to an end. Many acknowledged the crises that engulf many universities over the succession palaver one time or the other. Without recounting those sad incidences that adorn the landscape of Nigerian Universities, one is only concern with averting same in A.B.U. But the threat is imminent almost at a point of suffocation. That is why many are worried in the event were the ‘wrong’ candidate is imposed on the university.

The worry over choosing the right VC is not misplaced because there is more to the problems of selecting a Vice-Chancellor. This political issue is intertwined with ethnic considerations. The combination is as a result of fear of imposing ‘visitors’ who might oppress the larger local population in the name of being a federal university. Local communities now no longer tolerate or allow none member of the university’s catchment areas to be foisted on them. It is the fear of creating anarchy and turbulence in the university, whereas the ‘visitor’ would gladly, subtly and conveniently return to his domain in fanfare to enjoy the peace of his place. In addition there had been a strong clamour for the appointment of an 'insider' for the job. Most often, lecturers from within the universities have watched while 'outsiders' were appointed Vice Chancellors. Prof. Abdullahi came from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Another profound fear is guidelines for the VC exercise are often thrown to the dogs. In twenty five (25) days or so a VC is expected for the university. This should have been over by now. The candidates ought to have been shortlisted out of the best and brightest much earlier to enable a thorough scrutiny of the candidate. The views of all stakeholders should have been properly vented and sieved by the selection committee. It would have also aid in abating the allegations of playing out a prewritten script.

The greatest consolation is that the chairman of the newly inaugurated Council, Malam Adamu Ciroma, CFR, is indubitable above board. He is a man of proven integrity, a man whose legacies of a lifetime cannot be sacrificed at this stage by allowing anybody to toy with his well guarded principles. In fact, he is not alone in this; the council is made up of independent minded people whose integrity is also beyond being influenced. We are sure that the calibre of men and women in the Council would not be stampeded into taking an unreasonable action on the VC succession bid.

Again, one is certain that Adamu Ciroma has engraved in his heart the words of his elder brother the Late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, when he addressed the Council some forty seven (47) years ago, when he posited that the Council of the university is entrusted with “the task of governing and guiding the university …. I am confident that they will justify the trust which is being put in them…. It is the Council, therefore, who will ultimately be responsible for the policies of the university. I am certain that they will demand and obtain a high standard of learning, efficiency and discipline.” Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, October 11, 1962.

The tireless Pro-Chancellor might not need much assistance in carrying out this vital assignment, but the responsibility of all the members of the university community, particularly the Alumni, demand that they should all individually and collectively assist in ensuring that the reputation of the university is not put at risk due to the VC’s appointment. This too, was the directive of the Sardauna at the commissioning of the university on November 23, 1963, when he stated that “In our statutes, the graduates are specifically mentioned as members of the university. Members you now are and members you will remain the rest of your life. It is your duty to protect the good name of the university and, by your conduct and example, to enhance its name”. This category includes some of the closest friends and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the Chairman of Council, the Governor of Kaduna State and Mr. President, amongst millions who happen to be also Permanent Members of the university may have to exert the strength of their respective offices to assist the independent Council and the selection committee to arrive at the most suitable candidate and not to impose one on the university. It is that power invested in all of us that I am utilizing today.

This was surely ASUU’s cardinal intention when they fought so hard to secure the promulgation of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, No. 11 of 1993 and the universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2003. Under these laws, merit was the paramount criteria to be used in the selection of Vice Chancellors. In addition, these laws granted some degree of autonomy to Universities in selecting their Vice- Chancellors. However, the manipulations and blatant violations of set standards by the candidates have become rampant in our universities. It was a claim that members of the ivory tower’s minds are liberated, therefore could be rational, meticulous and pedantic in dealing with issues. While this ought to be naturally so, the happenings in various universities in battling for the Vice Chancellorship indicates that this is a mere claim. In many instances swords have been drawn for the ultimate battle for the vacant position of Vice Chancellor.

I intend to give a closer look at what the law say in regards to candidate’s merit. Merit is indispensable in arriving at a generally acceptable candidate. It is expected that where a Vacancy occurs in the post of a Vice- Chancellor, the Council shall first advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or a widely read newspaper in Nigeria, outlining the qualities of the persons who may apply for the post. Afterwards, the Council shall constitute a Joint Board and a Search Team. The search team would consist of a member of the Council, who is not a member of the Senate, as chairman; two members of the Senate who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a professor and two members of Congregation who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a professor. The Council identify suitable persons who are not likely to apply for the post of their own volition and nominate them for consideration by a joint Council and Senate selection board to be in the Search Team. The joint board would be made up of the Pro-Chancellor as chairman; two members of the Council, not being members of the Senate and two members of the Senate who are professors but who were not members of the Search Team. The search team would set the ball rolling by drawing a short list of suitable candidates for the post for consideration of the joint board.

The Joint Board shall consider the candidates on the short list drawn up by the search team. They would be guided by a well spelt criteria, which includes, specified years of post professorial qualification, academic and administrative leadership, professional standing/honours, honours/fellowship of relevant/professional societies, proficiency in ICT, societal linkages, ability to attract funds/research grant, contribution to knowledge (academic publications, inventions), interview performance which would be scored along candidates' vision for the university, articulation/personality and general knowledge and referee reports. A candidate is expected to score at least 75 out of a total 100 points to make the next list. The joint board would then recommend to the Council three (3) Suitable candidates for further consideration.

The Council then select one candidate from among the three candidates recommended to it and thereafter informs the Visitor. As spelt out above, the appointment of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities is now within the powers of University Councils. It is now an internal matter in, which members of the University community participate either directly or indirectly. This law logically circumscribed the powers which the Federal Government previously had in solely appointing Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. Even though this can be argued that he who pays the piper dictates the tone. They are subject to control by the Visitor, who has the power to remove any member or dissolve the Council. This sometimes affects the Council’s pedantic approach in appointing the most suitable candidate for the Vice Chancellorship.

Unfortunately, the consequences of appointing visionless leaders as Vice Chancellors cannot be ignored. Such leadership invites corruption, admission scandals and abuse of trust in office. This in turn results in neglecting infrastructure, staff and students’ rights and privileges’, to make a bad situation worst, such leadership cannot as well manage human resources, nor can they galvanize them into greater productivity and glory. Naturally, such leadership encore endless workers strike and students riots.

So who is the most eligible candidate? The right candidate for the next A.B.U.’s VC should be an individual whose track records command the respect as well as loyalty of members of staff, students and university community. Any candidate with mere allegations of fostering personal, ethnic, political, religious or other sectional interest is to be avoided like a plague. My next VC must be competent at all times to advise the Council on all matter affecting the policy, finance and administration of the university. He should be of the high moral standards and impeccable character and proven integrity with irrevocable commitment to best practices in corporate governance, with particular emphasis on accountability, transparency and probity and must be able to ensure effective utilization of limited resources for maximum public good. With emphasis the next VC should demonstrate irrevocable commitment to the cardinal values of merit, consistency and fairness as operating principles and should be able to apply these across board.

He must not rely on government funding alone, he should be able to attract research grants and complementary funds from local and international agencies in order to uplift the academic stature of the university. The in-coming Vice Chancellor must sustain the tempo of the academic livewire and transparent admission process as enjoy in the last five year. He should also demonstrate managerial and administrative sagacity to make activist-friendly as in the case of ASUU and the incumbent administration in the last five years. The next VC must be innovative, resourceful and must possess a quantum of initiatives in order to guide the university progressively in the challenging years that lie ahead. This is the most eligible Vice – Chancellor for Ahmadu Bello University, please no man should substitute him. All Members of the University should play their roles well in assisting and insisting that this is should be so.

Let me conclude by paraphrasing the words of Ahmadu Bello in paying tribute to Dr Alexander, A.B.U.’s first Vice-Chancellor. The Sardauna identified the virtues of the VC as one who should be ‘a veritable guide and shepherd ... courage, capacity for hard work and his loyalty to the noble cause, ....is the type of man this country needs.’ Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, November 23, 1963. Indeed, he is the type of man Ahmadu Bello University needs as the next VICE – CHANCELLOR.

Usman, Sule Machika, a Public Affairs Analyst, and (Permanent Member of Ahmadu Bello University), wrote from Zaria.