Dear Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, I am writing to bring to your attention the concerning situation at Yobe State University, where various alleged violations of the university’s regulations are taking place. As the governor of Yobe state, I urge you to intervene and address these issues promptly to ensure the integrity and compliance of the institution.
Specifically, one of the major issues that require your immediate attention is the tenure situation of the university Registrar, Dr. Kalli Gazali. It has come to light that Dr. Gazali has purportedly continued to occupy the office of the registrar despite retiring in September 2023 after serving for 35 years, not 65. This contravenes the university (Miscellaneous) Act 2012 on the retirement of non-academic staff. The violation of such regulations governing the university raises serious questions about the adherence to established procedures and laws.
Furthermore, six months ago, an interview was conducted for the position of bursar at Yobe State University. However, despite the passage of time, the results of this interview have not been announced. This delay has created a sense of uncertainty and unease among the candidates and the university community. Subsequently, it has come to our attention that another interview is being called, allegedly to favour a candidate who is rumoured to be related to you, specifically your brother. This development is viewed as a clear violation of the university’s laws and regulations, which are designed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process based on merit and competence.
Moreover, this is a clear violation of the oath of office and the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which you swore to uphold. You took an oath that: ‘I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.’ If it is true that you are allowing your brother, who is already a bursar in another institution in Yobe state, to be brought to the state university and staging another interview just to pave the way for him, it is rather disgusting.
For example, the favouritism can be seen from the advert for the post of the bursar; in the first advert, the qualification required is that the candidate for the post must: ‘…be a practicing Deputy Bursar with at least one-year minimum experience on the post in a recognised University….’ In the second advert, that criterion was completely deleted because the anointed candidate has not been a deputy bursar in a recognised university but is presently a substantive bursar. The question is, why is a substantive bursar interested in becoming a bursar in another institution? Perhaps to serve as a conduit pipe for those who are doing everything possible to ensure he becomes the bursar. Again, under the experience in the first advert, the criteria are: ‘candidate must have a minimum of fourteen (14) years of prudent university financial management and administrative experience,’ whereas in the second advert, the word ‘university’ was removed to mean 14 years of prudent financial management because the anointed candidate did not possess 14 years of university experience.
The university’s laws and regulations are in place to uphold the integrity of the institution and ensure that all appointments are made fairly, transparently, and without bias. The actions taken so far appear to be in contravention of these laws, undermining the trust and confidence of the university community and the public at large.
I, therefore, call on you to investigate the delay, ensure transparency, prevent nepotism, and announce the result of the already conducted interview. Also, instruct the university governing council to immediately advertise for suitable candidates to apply for the already vacant office of the university registrar and appoint, in the interim, the most senior deputy registrar in an acting capacity to oversee the affairs of the office. These are misconduct or irregularities within the university that merit investigation and corrective action.
It is pertinent to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the administration of educational institutions to safeguard the interests of students, staff, and the reputation of the university. We believe that addressing these concerns will reinforce the integrity of the appointment process and restore trust in the governance of our esteemed university. We have full confidence in your commitment to justice and fairness, and we trust that you will take the necessary steps to rectify this situation.
Kasim Isa Muhammad,
Damaturu, Yobe state
