By Emmanuel Kwada
A brewing scandal has rocked Nigeria’s education sector, with Education Minister Dr. Olatunji Alausa at the center of allegations of manipulating the appointment process for the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) in Katsina State.
Insiders accuse the Minister of orchestrating a calculated effort to reinstall a disgraced former academic, Professor Rasheed Hamzat, raising serious concerns about political overreach and the erosion of academic integrity.
According to sources within FUDMA, Hamzat—who was sacked four years ago following a disciplinary probe—was found guilty of gross misconduct, including insubordination and chronic absenteeism. His dismissal came after a university committee ruled his actions incompatible with leadership standards.
This isn’t just a breach of protocol—it’s a slap in the face to everyone who values accountability
Yet, despite this blemished record, Minister Alausa is allegedly championing Hamzat’s return to the institution’s top post, a move critics say flouts both university regulations and common sense.
“This isn’t just a breach of protocol—it’s a slap in the face to everyone who values accountability,” a senior council member told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity. “The rules are unambiguous: someone dismissed for cause can’t waltz back into leadership. What’s driving this agenda?”
The controversy deepens with parallel claims of interference from Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, who is reportedly pushing his own candidate, Professor Saddiq Radda. However, Saddiq Radda’s bid faltered early after he allegedly bombed a strategic vision assessment and failed a plagiarism screening—effectively eliminating him from contention.
The university’s Governing Council, led by retired Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu, had narrowed the field to six finalists after a rigorous selection process. But on Monday, in a stunning turn of events, Minister Alausa halted the entire exercise mere days after the shortlist was announced. Adding fuel to the fire, he sacked Colonel Aminu as Pro-Chancellor, installing Ali Abubakar Jatau in his place—a shakeup the Ministry of Education defends as a step toward “transparency and reform.”
This isn’t reform—it’s a hijacking,” a senior FUDMA staffer fumed, speaking anonymously out of fear of reprisal
Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry’s spokesperson, doubled down in a statement, insisting the changes reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to “fairness and good governance” in tertiary institutions. But the explanation has done little to quell suspicions of a power grab.
“This isn’t reform—it’s a hijacking,” a senior FUDMA staffer fumed, speaking anonymously out of fear of reprisal. “The Minister’s fingerprints are all over this. He’s rigging the game to plant his loyalist, and it’s the university that will pay the price.”
The timing couldn’t be more precarious. With incumbent Vice Chancellor Professor Hamisu Armaya’u Bichi set to exit in May, the stalled appointment process threatens to leave FUDMA in limbo. Faculty and students alike worry that merit is being sidelined for political favoritism—a trend they say could tarnish the institution’s reputation and undermine Nigeria’s broader education system.
As outrage builds, all eyes are on the Minister and the government to see whether FUDMA’s leadership will be decided by competence or cronyism. For now, the saga serves as a stark reminder of the fragile line between politics and academia—and the stakes of crossing it.
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