Controversy rocks Yobe State University over principal officers’ appointment

Tension has gripped Yobe State University as a leadership crisis erupts over irregularities in the appointment of principal.

It was gathered that the university has been embroiled in controversy since September 26, 2023, when the University Council called for internal and external applications for the position of Bursar.

The advertisement was aired by national dailies. However, despite conducting interviews on November 14, 2023, the results have yet to be announced, creating uncertainty and tension among candidates and the university community.

It was learned that allegations have surfaced that another interview is being staged to favour a candidate rumored to be related to the Governor of Yobe State, specifically a brother.

Reports indicate that this development is viewed as a clear violation of the university’s laws and regulations, which are designed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process based on merit and competence.

Furthermore, it has come to light that the University’s Registrar, Dr. Kalli Gazali, has purportedly continued to occupy the office of the Registrar despite retiring in September 2023 after serving for 65 years.

This also contravenes the university’s established laws and regulations.

In an exclusive interview, a senior university lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous for administrative reasons, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the university’s appointment process.

The lecturer emphasized that the university’s laws and regulations are in place to uphold the integrity and fairness of the institution and ensure that all appointments are made fairly, transparently, and without bias.

The lecturer stated, “It is uncalled-for for a university system to lack transparency and accountability to the extent of causing uncertainty among its stakeholders. Six months ago, an interview was conducted for the position of Bursar at Yobe State University. However, despite the long overdue, the results of the interview have not been announced yet. It has come to our attention that another interview is called and scheduled to hold on Monday, 20th May, 2024, allegedly in favoir of a candidate rumoured to be related to the Governor of Yobe State, specifically a brother.”

When asked about the laws guiding the appointment of the university’s Bursar, the lecturer replied, “Just any other university, Yobe state university has its laws and regulations guiding appointments to any position. However, contrary to the advertisement made in September 2023, there are changes and omissions to the guidelines made in March 2024. It had it on the first advert that: ‘…must be a practicing Deputy Bursar with at least one-year minimum experience on the post in a recognized university…’.

‘The second advert was completely deleted because the anointed candidate has not been a deputy bursar in a recognized university but he is presently a substantive Bursar. The question is why is a substantive Bursar interested to become a Bursar in another institution? Perhaps to serve as a conduit pipe for those that are doing everything possible in ensuring he becomes the bursar.

Again under the Experience in the first advert, the criteria is: ‘candidate must have a minimum of fourteen (14) years of prudent university financial management and administrative experience’ whereas in the second advert, the word ‘university’ was removed to mean fourteen (14) years of prudent financial management because the anointed candidate did not possess 14 years of university experience.”

The lecturer also expressed concerns about the purported illegal occupation of the office of the University’s Registrar, stating, “The office of the University’s Registrar has continued to be occupied by Dr. Kalli Gazali despite his retirement on age grounds since September 2023 after serving for 65 years. This contravenes the university’s (miscellaneous) Act 2012 on the retirement of non-academic staff. The violation of such regulations governing the university raises serious concerns about respect for the established laws and procedures.”

The lecturer urged the Yobe State Governor, who is the university’s visitor, to intervene and ensure transparency, compliance, and integrity in the institution.

Specifically, the lecturer called for an investigation into the delay, transparency in the appointment process, and the announcement of the already conducted interview results. The lecturer also requested that the university governing council advertise for suitable candidate.