The search for the next Vice-Chancellors has intensified at the University of Ibadan, Lagos State University, the University of Jos, and Abia State University, Uturu.
This comes as search teams across the institutions step up efforts to woo eligible candidates to join the race following the public advertisements for the vacant Vice-Chancellor positions.
Across the institutions, Joint Council and Senate Selection Boards are being constituted to oversee the formal selection process.
However, the race in some institutions has already been marked by politicking and controversy over eligibility criteria, as different interests push considerations they believe should determine the choice of the next Vice-Chancellor.
In June, LASU formally opened applications for its 10th Vice-Chancellor as the tenure of Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello winds down.
The advertisement stated that candidates must possess a doctorate and demonstrate a profound understanding of contemporary tertiary education systems.
It added that applicants must be full professors of several years’ standing with a verifiable record of supervising doctoral students and securing substantial research grants.
LASU, however, came under criticism over the years of professorial experience required for applicants.
Some academics faulted the advertisement for failing to specify that only professors with at least 10 years of experience should be eligible to apply.
Responding, the LASU Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Fanu, insisted that no law governing the university stipulates that only professors with 10 or more years of experience can contest the position.
He said the advertisement was approved by the Joint Council and Senate, adding that “several years” could mean one, two, four or 10 years.
“There is no written law that stipulates 10 years and above. It is an unwritten law. The law of LASU stipulates that the governor, as the Visitor, appoints the Vice-Chancellor,” he said.
The controversy over eligibility is expected to persist as different interest groups continue to push positions that favour their preferred candidates while seeking to disqualify others.
The search for the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan began in April with an internal and external advertisement signed by the Registrar, Ganiyu Saliu, announcing that the office would become vacant on November 1, 2026.
The incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, is due to complete his tenure then.
Although applications have closed, it was gathered that the university’s search team has intensified efforts to encourage all eligible staff members to submit applications for the position.
The contest to succeed Adebowale is expected to gather momentum in the coming weeks, as the emergence of a UI Vice-Chancellor has historically been accompanied by intense lobbying and controversy.
Adebowale emerged Vice-Chancellor in October 2021 for a single five-year, non-renewable tenure after a prolonged process marked by tension, indigene-settler debates and controversy.
The position had become vacant on December 1, 2020, but the selection process was aborted following agitations that led to the dissolution of the Governing Council.
At Abia State University, the Governing Council has inaugurated a search team comprising Prof. Anthony Obike; Prof. Mary Iwuagwu (Senate Representative); Prof. Sam Agu (Senate Representative); Dr Osita Igbe (Congregation Representative); and Dr Uchenna Kalu (Representative of the Registrar), who will serve as Secretary.
The office of Vice-Chancellor becomes vacant on November 1, 2026.
According to the eligibility criteria, interested candidates must be “an exemplary scholar and a professor of at least five years’ standing at a recognised and reputable university, possess verifiable publications, have published widely in reputable peer-reviewed journals, and demonstrate continuous high-level academic productivity at the professorial level.”
Inaugurating the search team, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Agwu Agwu, said the exercise was in line with Section 12(2)(b) of the Abia State University Law, which provides for the constitution of a search team to identify and nominate suitable persons, especially Abians, for consideration by the Governing Council for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.
Credit: Punchng
