Former Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu, has dismissed social media calls advocating his appointment as the next Vice-Chancellor of Northwest University, Kano, saying he has no interest in taking up any leadership role again.
In a statement released on Saturday, Adamu said he was unaware of the online campaign until recently and expressed surprise and discomfort over the suggestion.
“Vice-Chancellor? Again? Seriously?!? Thanks, but no thanks!” Adamu wrote. “I was blissfully unaware of an online advocacy for me to become the next Vice-Chancellor of Northwest University, Kano. When I discovered the thread and followed it, I was truly horrified at the suggestion.”
He clarified that while he appreciated the confidence shown in him, he had no plans to take up another administrative position. “I have always resisted efforts to make me accept positions of leadership,” he said.
Adamu, who served as NOUN Vice-Chancellor from 2016 to 2021, recalled that he had previously declined similar offers from several universities, including Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) and Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
“Before I was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, I was approached to apply for the position of Vice-Chancellor in five universities at different times,” he said. “I rejected all the offers. I considered my NOUN appointment as purely providential, and I reluctantly accepted it.”
He said his decision to leave administration was deliberate, adding that he had even programmed a countdown to his exit date while at NOUN. “The moment I took over NOUN on 1st March 2016, the first thing I did was to download a calendar app, *Countdown*, on my phone and programmed it with my departure date of 11th February 2021,” he said. “It irritated them, that’s for sure, but I was eager and desperate to get out to regain my freedom.”
Adamu said he had also rejected offers to head two private universities after completing his tenure at NOUN, stressing that his decision was final. “If anyone were to offer me the position of Vice-Chancellor of any university anywhere, now or in the future, my stand remains the same: I will reject it.”
The former NOUN head emphasized the importance of merit-based and transparent selection processes for university leadership. “I strongly believe these should be followed to select the best person the Governing Council believes will sustain the legacies of quality assurance and excellence,” he said.
Adamu, who turns 70 next year, said his focus now is on mentoring young academics and conducting research. “I believe it is time to give space to a younger generation of scholars to take up the challenge of university leadership,” he said. “As I prepare for retirement next year at 70, my present focus is on mentoring and supporting upcoming academics.”
He expressed appreciation to those who had shown support for his candidacy, including Tijjani Sarki and Ahmad Abubakar, but urged them to back the university’s governing council in selecting a new leader.
“Your faith in me is deeply appreciated — more than words can express,” he said. “However, I urge us all to stand behind the Northwest University Governing Council under the very able leadership of its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, and pray for a suitable Vice-Chancellor for the university.”