A group of education advocates has petitioned the Federal Ministry of Education, alleging that the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, is attempting to install his brother as the next Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Wukari (FUW).
The group, operating under the name Concerned Persons with Education Interest, warned that the institution is facing a potential “industrial crisis” if the selection process is not reviewed.
In a petition signed by National Coordinator Comrade Bulus Zakari, the group claimed the governor is “scheming” to secure the role for his brother, Dr Benjamin Ate Kefas, despite allegations that he lacks the necessary academic credentials.
Qualification Row
The central point of the dispute involves the mandatory requirement for a Vice-Chancellor to hold the rank of Professor. According to the petitioners, there is no record of Dr Kefas reaching this rank within the university system.
”The Vice-Chancellor position requires the attainment of the rank of professor with at least 10 years of experience,” the group stated.
While acknowledging Dr Kefas’s background as a research scientist with degrees in pharmacy from Ahmadu Bello University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the group noted his highest academic title appears to be “Assistant Professor of Neuro-oncology” at the University of Virginia.
Under Nigerian federal university regulations, an Assistant Professor rank—common in the US system—is typically not equated to the full Professorship required to lead a federal institution.
’Lack of Transparency’
Beyond the individual qualifications, the petition raised concerns over the transparency of the shortlisting process. The group alleged that:
- 36 out of 40 applicants were screened out.
- The remaining four candidates consist of three individuals from Taraba State and one from Adamawa State.
- The process has been “compromised” by external political pressure.
”Recent events have raised serious concerns among stakeholders as there are growing fears that external political influence… may be affecting the integrity of the process,” Mr Zakari alleged.
Calls for Intervention
The group is now calling on the Federal Ministry of Education to exercise its supervisory powers to “safeguard the integrity” of the university.
Their demands include an independent review of the selection process and a verification of the academic and administrative qualifications of all shortlisted candidates.
Neither the Taraba State Government nor the management of the Federal University Wukari have yet issued a formal response to the allegations.
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