In the wake of ongoing leadership uncertainty at the University of Abuja, a group of concerned academic staff has urged the Federal Government to extend the tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia Manko Lar.
The appeal, made after a critical review of her first three months in office, comes as the university continues to navigate challenges inherited from the previous administration. The lecturers—Dr. Godwin Okaneme (Department of Philosophy), Dr. Iheanyichukwu Hilary Ukpabi (University of Abuja Alumni Association), and Comrade Godiya Damian (Teacher and Welfare Officer)—praised Prof. Lar’s stabilizing influence and called for continuity to ensure unresolved institutional issues are properly addressed.
In a joint statement made available to the press in Abuja, the group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the decisive intervention that led to Prof. Lar’s appointment on February 6, 2025, following the dismissal of the former Vice-Chancellor and the dissolution of the Governing Council.
According to the lecturers, Prof. Lar has been instrumental in restoring calm to the university. They credited her with reversing a culture of favoritism and restoring a sense of inclusivity, fairness, and professionalism among staff.
They highlighted longstanding issues such as irregular staff promotions, controversial employment practices, and neglect of due process—problems they say have begun to see redress under the current administration. The group emphasized that these deep-rooted challenges would require more time to resolve fully and warned that rushing into a new leadership transition could jeopardize recent progress.
They also appealed for the constitution of a new Governing Council made up of qualified technocrats and called on the Federal Ministry of Education to support the Acting VC’s efforts. Additionally, the group called for a formal Visitation Panel to probe activities under the previous management, particularly concerning employment, contract awards, and admission irregularities.
“With the statutory six-month term of the Acting Vice-Chancellor nearing its end, and in the absence of a Governing Council to initiate a transparent appointment process, it is only reasonable that her tenure be extended,” the statement read. “This is not driven by sentiment but by the need to consolidate institutional reforms and ensure a smooth transition.”
