The Voice of African Universities has urged the Nigerian Government to appoint Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja.
This call was made by Professor Mamadou Camara, the Deputy Vice President of the Association (West Africa), in a statement issued on Wednesday from Marseille, France.
Professor Camara highlighted the importance of endorsing Professor Maikudi, stressing that she has the qualifications and vision needed to steer the University towards a progressive future.
He pointed out that at 41, Professor Maikudi, a distinguished scholar of International Law, brings a unique combination of academic excellence, leadership experience, and international connections to the role.
According to him, her strong academic background and global network have significantly contributed to advancing the interests of the University of Abuja.
Professor Camara criticized the ongoing smear campaign against her candidacy, noting that some individuals have attacked her based on her age and gender.
“These detractors argue she is too young and claim that a woman cannot hold such a prestigious office. This argument is not only intellectually dishonest but also steeped in hypocrisy,” Professor Camara said.
The Voice of African Universities condemned these baseless attacks and called for a fair and transparent selection process, emphasizing the need to uphold excellence and meritocracy.
The association reiterated its support for Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi’s candidacy for Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, urging the Nigerian Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure fairness and due process in the selection process, even though the final decision rests with the University’s Governing Council.
