By Nkechi Eze
Tension is reportedly building at the Federal University Wukari (FUW), Taraba State, following a petition submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education by a group known as Concerned Persons with Education Interest, alleging attempts by Governor Agbu Kefas to influence the appointment of his brother, Dr. Benjamin Ate Kefas, as the next Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
The petition, signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Bulus Zakari, accused the governor of working behind the scenes to ensure his brother emerges as Vice-Chancellor, despite claims that he does not meet the statutory academic and administrative requirements for the position.
According to the group, available records do not indicate that Dr. Benjamin Kefas has attained the rank of professor within the university system, which they described as a fundamental prerequisite for eligibility. They alleged that developments surrounding the ongoing selection process have raised alarm among stakeholders, who fear that political interference may undermine the credibility and integrity of the exercise.
Zakari stated that there are widespread concerns that the process is being manipulated in favour of the governor’s brother, thereby eroding confidence in what should be a transparent, competitive, and merit-driven selection procedure.
While acknowledging that Dr. Benjamin Kefas possesses academic qualifications in pharmacy, including a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and PhD obtained from Ahmadu Bello University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, the group maintained that such credentials alone do not automatically qualify him for the office of Vice-Chancellor.
They noted that Dr. Kefas is a research scientist, educator, and author, who has reportedly served as an Assistant Professor of Neuro-oncology at the University of Virginia in the United States, with experience in research, teaching, curriculum development, and project management. However, they argued that an assistant professorship does not equate to the rank of full professor required under Nigerian university regulations.
The petitioners stressed that the Vice-Chancellor position demands a candidate who has attained professorial status, possesses a minimum of ten years post-professorial experience, demonstrates proven integrity, and has strong administrative and leadership capacity.
They further claimed that there is no evidence showing that Dr. Benjamin Kefas has held key academic leadership positions such as Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, or Director in any university, roles they described as critical indicators of readiness for the office of Vice-Chancellor.
The group also raised concerns about the conduct of the screening exercise, alleging that out of roughly 40 applicants, 36 were reportedly disqualified, leaving only four candidates, three said to be from Taraba State and one from Adamawa State. This development, they argued, casts serious doubt on the fairness and inclusiveness of the process.
Warning that the situation could trigger an industrial crisis within the university, the petitioners called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to protect the institution from what they described as an erosion of due process.
They urged the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure strict compliance with the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1993, as amended, also known as the Universities Autonomy Act.
Specifically, the group requested the Ministry to conduct an independent assessment of the selection and screening exercise, confirm that all shortlisted candidates meet statutory qualifications, prevent any form of external political influence on the Governing Council, and reassure staff, students, and other stakeholders that merit and due process will ultimately determine the outcome.
They further asked the Ministry to take appropriate corrective action should any irregularities or undue interference be established.
