An outsider has been favoured over a qualified internal staff for a deputy registrar position at the Federal University Wukari (FUW) in Taraba State, WikkiTimes can report.
Credible sources in the University suggest the registrar’s involvement, Dr. Aboki Sallah Bambur, as his tenure nears completion.
The Registrar is also allegedly involved in other controversies of abuse of office and manipulation of the university’s promotion process as his tenure comes to an end.
According to impeccable sources within the institution, Dr. Bambur maybe perfecting plans to position his associate, Nuhu Shamaki, as his successor as the next Registrar of the university.
Dr. Bambur’s tenure as the registrar will officially end in 2025 which will enable for the emergence of his successor.
Sources in FUW said the registrar, whose plan is to convert to academic staff after reaching the pinnacle of his administrative career, is likely working to influence the appointment of the next registrar using his close ties with the vice chancellor and some members of the institution’s governing council.
Shamaki, who was brought in from the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) in Kogi State, did not participate in the standard promotion examination required for such an appointment as the deputy registrar.
“Four staff members participated in the promotion exam, including Onyilo Odeh, Suleiman Abba Bashir, Osayinde Beatrice, and Adobe Jika,” a source told WikkiTimes.
However, Adobe Jika, a qualified internal staff member, was denied the promotion to Deputy Registrar due to a lack of available positions.
A letter to Jika from the registrar’s office cited the lack of vacancies as the reason for his denial, yet Shamaki was appointed from outside the university to the same rank two months later.
“This situation suggests potential favoritism,” said an anonymous staff member. “It appears that internal procedures are being bypassed.”
“But Jika was dropped on account of no available vacancy for him. Later, an outsider was brought in as a deputy registrar,” the source said.
There are also allegations that Dr. Bambur is seeking an extension of his tenure as Registrar to provide more time for his favoured candidate to settle into the university before eventual taking over the top administrative position of the institution.
The Registrar faces additional allegations, including improperly influencing his promotion to the rank of Associate Professor despite holding an administrative position rather than an academic one. This promotion has drawn criticism within the university community, with some questioning the legitimacy of the process.
Professor Akongbowa Amadasun of the Department of Public Administration is reported to have raised concerns about Dr. Bambur’s promotion, leading to what some describe as retaliatory actions against him by the Registrar. Sources indicate that Dr. Bambur has used his influence to frustrate Professor Amadasun’s efforts, including questioning his credentials which led to his suspension in the institution.
Additionally, Dr. Bambur is criticized for frequently traveling for engagements outside the university, often leaving his responsibilities unattended. These absences have reportedly led to disruptions in the university’s administrative functions, with some staff members expressing frustration over the lack of proper delegation during his absences.
Registrar’s Reactions to the Allegations
However, Dr. Bambur strongly refuted the claims, emphasizing that the university operates under a structured and lawful process. He dismissed the accusations as baseless, stating, “Where we are is not a local government or a primary school. We have a council, and no decision is taken without the council’s approval. Everything is scrutinized before any decision is taken.”
He clarified that the process of appointing a Registrar is entirely within the purview of the council and not something he could influence.
“You don’t influence who becomes the Registrar. It is purely a council matter. The idea that I don’t stay in office is also none of anyone’s business. I work with the Vice-Chancellor, and only the VC can report me to the council if there is an issue.”
However, a highly placed source in the University confided in WikkiTimes that the appointment of Mr Shamiki was not sanctioned by the council because the council has been dissolved and new one was not constituted at the time.
WikkiTimes checks confirm that President Tinubu had dissolved governing councils of federal universities on 19 June 2023 while Mr shamaki was employed on June 26, 2024. The new council was inaugurated on July 4, 2024.
On Promotion
Regarding his promotion to Associate Professor, Dr. Bambur insisted that it was legitimate, stating, “If I was moved today to a Reader, the council must have seen it. These are council matters, and we have excellent professors in that council. So, if the council takes a decision, do you think the council is a stup!d body?”
He further dismissed the notion that internal staff was denied a promotion in favor of an outsider, urging those who feel aggrieved to present their facts. “If somebody is turned down, is it Dr. Aboki that turned him down? We have procedures in place. People wrote exams, attended interviews, and promotions were subject to vacancies.”
When the reporter pressed harder that a qualified staff was denied despite writing and passing the exam, Dr. Bambur warned the reporter that “Whatever doesn’t exist, you dare not probe into it. We don’t do things anyhow in this institution.”
