Academic Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly condemned the latest discoveries about illicit recruitment tactics at the Federal University of Technology Minna, adding that it was highly concerned by the University administration’s flagrant disregard for due process and infringement of University autonomy.
The Chairman ASUU, FUT Minna branch, Professor Gbolahan Bolarin stated this in a Press statement issued and made available to Journalists on Wednesday in Minna Niger State capital, highlighting that claims of manipulation in recruitment procedures aiming at reducing academic appointments into mere political instruments were alarming and inappropriate.
According to Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin, ” For example, a senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, through his Senior Legislative Aide( SLA)proudly displayed in public, Letters of employment of two individuals that benefitted from the illegal recruitment process ( which was captured as a Constituency project).
Gbolahan, said, “As a Union, of Academics, we are worried about the collusion between the University administration, politicians, and staff of the Accountant General Office(IPPIS to be specific) to undermine the integrity of academic appointments.
“Our Union posited that the Federal University of Technology Minna, just like other universities has been charged with safeguarding the ideals of academic independence, transparency and merit “. he declared.
He however noted that new findings pointed out a troubling pattern of meddling with the university’s autonomy, thereby jeopardizing the integrity of its academic activities.
Furthermore, the statement added that ASUU requests that the University management prioritize adherence to predefined recruitment rules and respect for academic autonomy.
Additionally, the Union is according to the ASUU branch chairman at FUT Minna, asking all concerned to retrace their steps, to prevent avoidable disharmony in the University because “we will not sit back and allow our University to be reduced to glorified secondary school due to the quality of the academic staff”.
Accordingly, the Union stated categorically that “this illegal recruitment and interference with university autonomy at the Federal University of Technology Minna are reprehensible and must be addressed immediately”, just as it emphasised that the Federal Government had announced in December 2023 that the Universities now exempted from IPPIS, stressing that it became worrisome when staff of IPPIS we’re sighted” on our campus in March 2025 capturing about One Hundred people, recruited without advertisement and/ or interview.
Professor Gbolahan Bolarin thereby declared that ASUU, FUTMinna Branch stands in a known fact that some of these infractions are possible because of the lack of Governing Council in Federal Universities, adding that as a result of which many VCs are now hiding under approval/ waiver from the Minister of Education and Head of Service to circumvent las down rules and procedures.
“Consequently,we call on the President ( Visitor to Federal Universities) to urgently reinstate Governing Councils on all our campuses. We want to confirm our commitment to safeguarding academic staff interests and maintaining the integrity of the Nigerian University system. The Union invites all the good people of Nigeria to join forces to protect the autonomy and reputation of our Universities across the country” said the Chairman, FUTMinna ASUU branch, Prof. Gbolahan Bolarin.
