By Khalid Idris Doya Former Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, has denied claims circulating on social media that he mad...
By Khalid Idris Doya
Former Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, has denied claims circulating on social media that he made derogatory remarks against Professors over the proposed conversion of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University from a University of Technology to a conventional university.
In a statement responding to the viral video, Yuguda said his attention was drawn to a widely circulated social media post purportedly quoting him in support of the conversion using language he described as alien to him.
"In the said video, I was quoted as supporting the proposed conversion, but in words and language that are foreign to me and, indeed, not in my lexicon. While the image in the video is mine, the text is certainly not. It must have been AI-generated," he said.
Yuguda clarified that while he supports the proposed conversion of ATBU to a conventional university and has reasons for his position, he would never insult or disparage those who oppose the idea, particularly professors.
"I could not have made adverse comments against those who oppose the idea, certainly not against professors; and not in the vulgar language reported," he stated.
The former governor stressed that his record speaks for itself, noting that he is a product of the university system and has worked closely with academics throughout his career.
"I hold Professors in the highest esteem and regard. I would never impugn their collective integrity," he added.
He acknowledged the concerns raised by concerned graduates of ATBU, relations, friends, and colleagues, assuring them that the viral video does not accurately reflect his views on the issue.
Responding to claims that the College of Medical Sciences at ATBU was established before his administration's intervention, Yuguda dismissed the assertion, saying those making the claim were being misled.
According to him, he was personally involved in taking critical steps that ensured the success of the College, which has since produced medical doctors and other professionals.
Yuguda further argued that opposition to the proposed conversion of ATBU into a conventional university does not serve the interest of Bauchi State or its economic development. He urged lecturers and other stakeholders to engage constructively, stressing that the move was aimed at strengthening educational growth in the state.
Meanwhile, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University branch (ASUU-ATBU), have called on the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Minister of Education, the Governor of Bauchi State, and the President of Nigeria to intervene over what they described as threats and affronts to the university and its professors.
The union made the call at a press conference addressed by its Chairperson, Comrade Angulu Haruna, PhD, titled “Affronts on University Autonomy and Malam Isa Yuguda’s Threats to University Professors.”
ASUU-ATBU said it was “stunned” by comments allegedly made by the former governor during a public hearing at the National Assembly on the bill seeking to change ATBU’s mandate.
“Malam Isa Yuguda criminalized anybody who is not in support of the bill by saying that anyone against turning the university into a conventional university is a criminal,” Haruna alleged.
The union further claimed that Yuguda expressed anger at professors who opposed the bill, allegedly questioning their relevance in a manner ASUU described as demeaning.
ASUU stressed that attending and contributing at a National Assembly public hearing is a legitimate constitutional right and described it as “appalling” for a former state chief executive to criminalize citizens for exercising that right.
The union also expressed concern that Yuguda, who currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), allegedly showed disrespect to professors, describing the action as unbecoming of someone entrusted with overseeing a university system.
On the establishment of the College of Medical Sciences, ASUU maintained that the college existed before Yuguda’s intervention. The union stated that the Bauchi State Government had handed over the former State Specialist Hospital to the Federal Government and was compensated, adding that proceeds from the exchange were used for other projects.
“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 said.
ASUU described the situation as an open attack on university autonomy and warned that the continued tension could threaten the safety of professors, the Governing Council, and the university administration.
The union called on Malam Isa Yuguda to publicly withdraw the alleged statements and resign as Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria.
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