A group of senior academics at the University of Abuja has raised strong objections to the recent appointment of Professor Isiaq Fawehinmi as the institution’s next Vice-Chancellor, arguing that the selection violates the university’s own advertised eligibility criteria.
Operating under the platform Concerned Academic Stakeholders, the professors insist that the role of Vice-Chancellor must be occupied by a candidate with a Ph.D., as clearly stated in the job advertisement. They argue that Prof. Fawehinmi’s qualification—based on a fellowship—does not meet this requirement.
In their petition, the stakeholders urged the Governing Council to “correct the present anomaly through elevation of the fully qualified, non-controversial candidate from the existing shortlist,” stressing that strict adherence to published standards is essential for credibility and regulatory compliance.
The group’s position was detailed in a report titled An Academic Analysis of the Substantive Vice-Chancellor Appointment at the University of Abuja: Legal Compliance, Institutional Precedent, and Governance Implications. The report draws a sharp distinction between academic doctorates and professional fellowships, noting that Nigerian courts have consistently maintained that a medical or professional fellowship cannot substitute for a Ph.D. in academic leadership roles.
While acknowledging that fellowships represent advanced professional training, the professors argued they do not demonstrate the level of research depth, scholarly output, or broad academic leadership expected of a Vice-Chancellor. According to them, accepting a fellowship in place of a Ph.D. constitutes “an academic misclassification and a breach of established regulatory standards.”
The signatories include prominent academics across several faculties: Prof. Oluwaseun Livingstone Fayose (Law), Prof. Fatima Ribadu (Social Science), Prof. Folake Agnes Ige (Arts), Prof. Khalid Ibrahim Musa (Sciences), Prof. Ibinabo Hart (Management Sciences), and Prof. Sambo Ishaq (Education).
The report emphasizes that the criteria for appointing Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities are not arbitrary. They are guided by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, NUC guidelines, and university-specific governance laws. It notes that the Ph.D. requirement is a mandatory baseline, not an optional preference.
Quoting from the report, the group stated: “Failure to meet a mandatory Ph.D. requirement constitutes a fundamental disqualification. Such non-compliance invalidates the appointment in both law and governance ethics.”
They also pointed to the University of Abuja’s long-standing tradition of choosing the least controversial and most legally defensible candidate—an approach meant to safeguard institutional prestige and prevent governance crises.
To protect the university’s credibility, the professors urged the Governing Council to enforce the advertised requirements without exception. Their recommendations include withdrawing any appointment that violates the mandatory qualification rules, elevating the highest-ranked candidate who fully meets the criteria, and reaffirming UniAbuja’s tradition of legality, due process, and risk avoidance.
Prof. Fawehinmi’s five-year tenure is scheduled to begin on February 10, 2026, following his announcement as substantive Vice-Chancellor last month. However, with pressure mounting from within the academic community, the Governing Council may face renewed scrutiny over its decision in the coming weeks.
