January 14, (THEWILL) — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Branch, Bauchi, has accused a former Governor of the State, Isa Yuguda, of actions it described as inimical to academic freedom and university autonomy following a public hearing at the National Assembly.
In a press statement made available to THEWILL on Wednesday, ASUU said it was stunned by comments allegedly made by Yuguda during a hearing on a bill seeking to change ATBU’s mandate from a technology-based university to a conventional institution. The union alleged that the former governor criminalised those opposing the bill and verbally attacked professors who spoke against it.
ASUU maintained that attending public hearings and expressing views on proposed legislation are legitimate rights of citizens, stressing that portraying dissenting opinions as criminal constitutes intimidation and a threat to academic freedom. The union said such remarks undermine the principles guiding public universities and erode respect for scholars.
The union also raised concerns over Yuguda’s role as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), arguing that the alleged comments showed disregard for the academic community and questioned his suitability to oversee a public university.
ASUU further condemned comments attributed to a former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ladan Salihu, whom it accused of issuing inflammatory statements against ATBU officials and the National Universities Commission (NUC) after the hearing.
Reaffirming that ATBU’s mandate is protected by law, the union warned against attempts to alter it without due process and respect for university autonomy.
ASUU-ATBU called on the Minister of Education, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, the Governor of Bauchi State and President Bola Tinubu, as Visitor to the university, to intervene to protect the institution and ensure the safety of its professors. The union also demanded a retraction of the alleged remarks and cautioned that continued attacks on academics could heighten tensions.
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