The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi branch, has called for the immediate removal of Mallam Isa Yuguda as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The Union’s demand follows an alleged verbal attack on university professors by the former Bauchi State Governor during a recent public hearing at the National Assembly.
Yuguda had appeared at a Senate public hearing in December regarding a bill seeking to convert ATBU from a specialized technology-driven university to a conventional institution.
Yuguda, a strong proponent of the bill, allegedly cast aspersions on those opposing the move, reportedly stating that “any person who is against turning the University into a conventional University is a criminal.”
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Union claimed that Yuguda expressed frustration with professors who spoke against the bill due to its potential violation of university autonomy, allegedly exclaiming, “Who the hell are professors for goodness sake!”
The Branch Chairperson, Dr. Angulu Haruna, condemned the outburst, stating that it was appalling for a former state Chief Executive to attempt to criminalize citizens for exercising their legitimate rights during a legislative procedure.
“ASUU is concerned that Mallam Isa Yuguda, who is a Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), displayed total disregard for the crème de la crème of the university system, the professors. By so doing, he has belittled the very domain the President entrusted him to superintend. This calls to question his competence, integrity, and commitment to nation-building and national security,” Haruna stated.
The Union also disputed Yuguda’s claims regarding his contributions to the institution, specifically the College of Medical Sciences.
“We wish to remind the public that our College of Medical Sciences had commenced much earlier before the former Governor’s intervention. It is on record that the Bauchi State Government handed over the former State Specialist Hospital to the Federal Government and was compensated. The proceeds of that exchange were what the former Governor used in developing other places. Therefore, his claim that he laboured for the establishment of the College of Medical Sciences in ATBU is not true; rather, his administration benefitted from its creation,” the Union clarified.
ASUU described the incident as a blatant affront to university autonomy and a threat to the academic community. Consequently, the Union urged the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Minister of Education, the Bauchi State Governor, and President Bola Tinubu to take necessary action to protect the integrity of the institution.
“It is against this backdrop that our Union is calling on Mallam Isa Yuguda to publicly withdraw his statement and quietly resign from his position as Chairman of the Governing Council of NOUN. You cannot preside over a system you hold with such disappointing contempt,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Yuguda has denied the allegations, attributing the viral video of his comments to Artificial Intelligence.
Reacting to the Union’s stance, the former governor admitted to supporting the proposed conversion of ATBU but insisted that the language attributed to him was fabricated.
“I support the proposed conversion of ATBU to a conventional university with good reasons. However, I could not have made adverse comments against those who oppose the idea, certainly not against professors, and not in the vulgar language reported.”
“Those familiar with my record can attest that the words attributed to me are neither part of my vocabulary nor would I ever impugn the collective integrity of professors. Being a product of the university and having worked closely with professors throughout my career, I hold them in the highest esteem,” Yuguda stated.
