By Ayodele Oni
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Candidate Approaches Court
One of the candidates vying for the position of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Joseph Eyo Duke, has challenged one of the guidelines outlined by the Federal Government for the University’s top job.
One of the guidelines, which mandates aspirant to possess 10 years experience as a Professor is currently being used for the ongoing appointment of a new VC for the University.
Prof Duke has approached the National Industrial Court Calabar, to challenge the guidelines as it applies to UNICAL.
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, had stated that 10 years’ experience as a Professor is mandatory for any candidate seeking the VC position.
In the light of above, the Federal Government has directed Governing Councils of Universities to familiarise themselves with the criteria and guidelines for selecting a Vice Chancellor and other Principal officers.
This applies to Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education.
For Universities, the Government asked councils to follow sections 3 to 6 of the University Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1993 (amended 2003 and 2012).
For polytechnics, Councils must refer to section 7(1-6) of the Federal Polytechnics Act, 1979 (amended 1993). Plus, for Colleges of Education, it’s section 5(1-6) of the Federal College of Education Act, 1986 (amended 1993).
Dr. Alausa asked Councils to study the guidelines for appointing VCs, Reactors, and Provosts carefully.
He warned that sanctions await Councils that violate the processes or operate outside the guidelines.
A recently obtained guideline document states that 10 years’ experience as a Professor is mandatory for any candidate seeking the VC position. It asks councils to take note.
Similarly, candidates for rector and provost roles must have been chief lecturers with five years’ experience.
The document also notes that Acting VCs are ineligible to join the selection process for new VCs, while Councils must submit details of the three top shortlisted candidates—in order of merit to the Minister of Education.
The Minister then forwarded these to the Visitor (the President) for scrutiny and a final decision.
After reviewing the recommendations,the Visitor (the President) can appoint or reject any of the three candidates. The Minister of Education will then convey the Visitor’s decision to the governing council.
Meanwhile, the Industrial Court in Calabar has directed all parties to maintain the status quo, refraining from any action that could jeopardise the fair hearing of the suit and fixed August 7, 2025 for hearing of the motion on notice at the Abuja Division.
In Suit No. NICN/CA/40/2025 filed by Prof Duke, the claimant is challenging the advertisement published on 27 May 2025, which stipulated that applicants must possess at least 10 years of post-professorial experience.
Prof. Duke argued that this requirement emanated from an Emergency Council Meeting held on 25, March 2025, which he described as “unlawful…that the criterion is rooted in a non-existent regulation”
The motion ex-parte, dated and filed on 21 July 2025, sought an interim injunction restraining UNICAL and its Governing Council from enforcing or acting upon the advertisement pending determination of the motion on notice.
Upon hearing, counsel to the claimant, Ubong Akpan, Esq., Hon. Justice Sanusi Kado granted an accelerated hearing of both the motion on notice and the substantive suit.
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