The former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, backdated Abdullahi’s promotion from Associate Professor to Professor to October 1, 2020, according to documentation that SaharaReporters was able to collect.
Another controversy has engulfed Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja. While on a one-year vacation at the National Defence College, Professor Jibrin Edicha Abdullahi has been accused of continuing to lead the geography department.
The former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, backdated Abdullahi’s promotion from Associate Professor to Professor to October 1, 2020, according to documentation that SaharaReporters was able to collect.
Since Abdullahi was reappointed as the Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science for a two-year term beginning on July 31, 2023, this inconsistency has drawn attention.
According to university sources, Abdullahi requested for a one-year sabbatical vacation without quitting his job as department head.
Abdullahi claimed in his September 27, 2024, application letter that he would oversee personnel at the National Defense College and conduct geostrategic research. On October 7, 2024, the letter was later authorized.
However, Abdullahi has allegedly been “harassing people and chairing disciplinary committee meetings” at the institution instead of concentrating on his research, which has raised worries among academics and students.
Some have ascribed this anomaly to “Aisha’s Magic,” alluding to the former acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, and the university community has questioned how Abdullahi can continue to serve as the Head of the Department while on sabbatical.
Concerns over the university’s leadership and the impact of former Vice Chancellor Na’Allah, who has been charged with elevating Abdullahi in spite of irregularities, have been brought up by the controversy.
The university community is demanding that Abdullahi respond to these accusations in a way that is appropriate.
A university insider called the situation “Aisha’s Magic” and stated that it is unclear how the head of an academic department may request to take a sabbatical to another organization without first resigning from the job of HoD.
“How can a Vice Chancellor, the same Vice Chancellor who reappointed him as Head of Department, go ahead and also approve the release of the HoD to proceed on sabbatical while still remaining the HoD?”
However, when SaharaReporters reached out to Prof. Edicha, he refuted the accusations and stated that he had departed the department in January.
“I have been out of the department since January, therefore that is untrue. As of right now, I am not the head of the geography and environmental science department. It’s been three weeks since I last visited the university. Therefore, it is untrue; you can inquire with the university administration to learn more,” he insisted.
Dr. Habib Yakoob, the university’s spokesperson, claimed he had no response when asked about the situation.
“Well, I appreciate you getting in touch. In a WhatsApp message, he stated, “At this time, I have no comments on this matter.”
