From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Lecturers at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have raised concerns over the alleged refusal of the Acting Rector, Hauwa Tanko Mohammed, to relinquish her position after the expiration of her six-month tenure.
The lecturers, who called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, expressed dissatisfaction with the continued leadership of Mohammed, whose tenure they claim ended on December 31, 2024.
In an interview on Monday, a senior lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the situation has unsettled staff and created uncertainty about the institution’s leadership.
“We were expecting a new rector in January, as the Acting Rector’s tenure ended last month. This is an academic institution where things should be done in an orderly manner. If her tenure has expired, she should step aside and allow a deputy rector to oversee the institution until a substantive rector is appointed,” the source said.
The Acting Rector, Hauwa Tanko Mohammed, assumed office on July 1, 2024, following the tenure of her predecessor, Samuel Obarakpo. Obarakpo had also served as Acting Rector for six months due to the absence of a substantive Governing Council at the time.
According to Section 16 (3) of the Federal Polytechnic Act, 2019, as amended, an acting rector’s tenure cannot exceed six months. However, the lecturers allege that Mohammed continues to hold the position with support from the Governing Council.
The lecturer further alleged that Mohammed lacks the moral standing for the position, citing a 2015 plagiarism case. “A four-man committee chaired by Sunday Adudu established that she used a plagiarised book, ‘Issues in Technical English: Communication Skills for Polytechnics and Other Tertiary Institutions,’ for her promotion from Senior Lecturer to Principal Lecturer in 2014. The committee recommended her demotion as a penalty,” the source added.
Despite these allegations, the Acting Rector, Hauwa Tanko Mohammed, in an interview, dismissed the claims, asserting that she was authorised to remain in office by the institution’s Governing Council.
“It is a lie. I have been given a letter by my council to continue as Acting Rector pending the outcome of the process,” Mohammed said in a telephone interview.
Our Correspondent contacted Major General Lawrence Onoja (Rtd), Chairman of the Governing Council, who corroborated Mohammed’s position, explaining that the council sought permission from the Minister of Education to extend her tenure until a substantive appointment is made.
“I have written to the Minister to permit her to continue acting until further notice. The necessary processes have been followed, and this is the procedure,” Onoja said.
Meanwhile, the Governing Council is reported to have conducted interviews for the rectorship position, shortlisting Mohammed alongside eight other candidates. However, delays in finalising the appointment have fuelled tensions among the staff.
Lecturers have called for transparency and adherence to due process in resolving the leadership issues to ensure stability and progress in the institution.
Source: Daily Sun
