The Federal Ministry of Education has instructed the Federal University of Health Sciences’ Governing Council in Otukpo, Benue State, to restore Professor Innocent A.O. Ujah, the suspended vice chancellor.

This follows the suggestions put out by the National Universities Commission, or NUC.

The Ministry apologised in a letter written by Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, for the suspension, which resulted from a breakdown in the Council-Vice Chancellor relationship. According to the Ministry, the suspension was implemented without following the guidelines set forth in the 1993 Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

The Ministry went on to say that the Vice Chancellor and the Council were both at blame for how they handled the university’s operations. As a result, it has mandated Professor Ujah’s reinstatement so he can finish his term, which expires on November 6, 2024.

The Council has also been instructed to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor in accordance with the correct processes until a new substantive Vice-Chancellor is being appointed.

Part of the letter, “RE: SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE AS VICE-CHANCELLORPROF. INNOCENT A.O. UJAH,” states: “I write in reference to your letter to the Ministry dated October 31, 2024, with Ref: FUHSO/AO/01, conveying the report of the meeting of the 2nd Council of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) held on October 31, 2024, on the above subject, following an earlier meeting between the Ministry and the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council and the Vice Chancellor of FUHSO.”

The Ministry laments the regrettable breakdown of the formal connection between the suspended Vice Chancellor (Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah) and the 2nd Council of FUHSO, which has impeded the university’s ability to function smoothly.

The Ministry has taken into account the circumstances surrounding the FUHSO 2 Council’s suspension of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah. The Ministry observes that at its meeting on October 17, 2024, the 2nd Council of FUHSO suspended the university’s vice chancellor in absentia on the grounds of insubordination and other charges. In lieu of the suspended vice chancellor, an acting vice chancellor was appointed without following the current regulations and the mandatory provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 (as amended), particularly section 3(13) of that act, which states that the Council must appoint an acting vice chancellor upon the Senate’s recommendation.

The Council is required to operate within the parameters of the law and current norms and regulations, even if it has the legislative authority to suspend the Vice Chancellor.

The Ministry further points out that the Vice Chancellor was suspended since both he and the 2nd Council of FUHSO made mistakes in some aspect of running the organisation. The National Universities Commission’s letter from October 25, 2024, which is included below for convenience, also supports this viewpoint.

In light of the aforementioned, I am requesting that the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo’s 2nd Council reinstate Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah, the suspended vice chancellor, so that he can finish his term, which is set to expire on November 6, 2024, and to bring harmony back to the university’s academic community.

While the process of selecting a new substantive vice chancellor for the university is still in progress, it is further requested that the 2nd Council of Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo strictly follow the established procedure in the current rules/regulations and law when selecting an acting vice chancellor. I assure you that you have my best regards.

After carefully examining the correspondence from the Council and the impacted Vice Chancellor, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, the Acting Executive Secretary, recommended in a separate letter that the Vice-Chancellor be permitted to stay in office until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 years on November 6, 2024, without affecting his five-year term in office because he did not retire from service prior to accepting the tenured appointment.

In accordance with Sections 13 (13) and 1(4) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 (as amended), the Commission also recommended that the Ministry take into account and authorise the University Governing Council to start the process of appointing an Acting Vice-Chancellor.

In order to avoid polarising the university community, the letter, which was also dated October 25, 2024, suggested that the Governing Council be guided by the necessity of ensuring the impartiality of the candidate to be appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor. Preferably, this candidate should be a leader and employee of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.