From Dan Amasingha, Minna.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) has strongly condemned what it described as a desperate and unlawful attempt by the Niger State Government to take over the institution’s historic Bosso Campus.

The protest, which took place at the entrance gate of the Bosso Campus, saw lecturers and students marching in solidarity under the leadership of ASUU and the Student Union Government, warning that any attempt to forcefully acquire the land would disrupt academic activities and violate federal laws.

Speaking to journalists after the demonstration, the FUTMINNA ASUU Chairperson, Comrade Professor Lukman Kunle Oyewobi, described the alleged move as “an unholy act,” insisting that the university community would resist any plan to dispossess the institution of its facilities.

Oyewobi disclosed that state government officials had reportedly visited the campus to initiate acquisition procedures without the consent of the university, prompting the emergency protest.

He rejected claims that the land was under temporary lease, citing a 1983 purchase agreement in which the Federal Government allegedly paid ₦2.8 million for full ownership of the property.

 According to him, the campus  originally a Roman Catholic missionary school handed to the state and later sold to FUTMINNA  is now a vital federal asset.

“This property belongs to the Federal Government. It is not idle land for political grabs,” Oyewobi said, adding that the campus houses more than 25 research centres, advanced science laboratories, staff quarters, hostels, clinics, libraries, and religious centres.

Pioneer student and Professor of Animal Production, Abdubanji Tijani, also challenged the state’s legal claim to the land, maintaining that the property was lawfully acquired in 1982 and cannot be reclaimed by the state government.

The controversy is believed to be linked to an alleged plan by the state government to establish a state-owned medical school on the Bosso Campus. 

However, the university community pointed out that FUTMINNA has already launched its own medical school using facilities within the same campus.

Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Bashir Ganiyu, expressed concern over reports that students, particularly female undergraduates, had been asked to vacate their hostels. With a total student population of about 25,000 and accommodation space for only about 5,000 students across campuses, he questioned the feasibility and safety implications of such a directive.

“Where do they want these students to go? Are they to be chased into the streets?” he asked.

Similarly, Mohamed Ramas, a 500-level student and Vice President of the Student Union, raised alarm over the safety of female students if evicted abruptly.

“We don’t have alternatives. Where do they want us to go? We are ladies. They cannot toy with our safety,” she lamented.

ASUU called on the National Assembly, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and civil society organisations to intervene and halt what it termed an assault on academic freedom and constitutional rights.

The union also urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, an honorary doctorate recipient of the university, to reconsider the move and seek alternative sites within the state, which is Nigeria’s largest by landmass.

Efforts to get official reaction from the Niger State Government were ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, chaired by Sen. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, has approved two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob.

The institution is now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

Yakoob said Prof.

Rosemary Udeozor was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, while Prof. Muhammad Ndagi became Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration.

He said the appointments were ratified at the council’s 82nd extraordinary meeting held on Feb. 13.

 “The two senior academics were earlier returned unopposed following the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Hakeem Fawehinmi,” he said.

He added that the appointments take effect from Feb. 13 for two years, in line with the university’s extant laws.

 “In their acceptance speeches, they pledged to support management’s strategic direction and work closely with the Vice-Chancellor,” Yakoob said.

Udeozor is a Professor of Educational Administration and Planning in the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education.

She obtained BA Ed, MEd and PhD degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and joined the university in 1995, becoming professor in 2009.

She previously served as Director of the General Studies Unit and Deputy Director of the Centre for Distance Learning.

Udeozor is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Education and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Planning.

Ndagi is a Professor of Arabic Linguistics in the Department of Arabic.

He holds degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the International Institute for Arabic Language, Khartoum.

With over 45 years in teaching, he has served as Dean of Arts and Deputy Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies.

He is a Fellow of Arabic Studies in Nigeria and has contributed extensively to academic publications and language policy initiatives.

In another development, the council approved the extension of Malam Sambo Mohammed’s appointment as Acting Registrar.

Yakoob said the decision was taken at the council meeting held on Feb. 5.

“He will continue to serve pending the conclusion of the process for appointing a substantive registrar,” he said.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reminded prospective candidates that registration for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will close on Feb. 26.

The board advised candidates intending to sit for the examination to complete their registration immediately, stating that the deadline would not be extended under any circumstance.

This was contained in the board’s weekly bulletin released on Monday.

The board expressed concerns over the low turnout of candidates at several accredited registration centres at this stage of the exercise.

It said that the recurring trend of delaying registration until the last minute and then agitating for extension would not be tolerated in 2026.

“This recurring pattern, where candidates deliberately delay registration until the final days and subsequently begin to agitate for an extension, will not be entertained in 2026.

“JAMB is fully aware of the deliberate tactics of examination cheats and individuals masquerading as tutorial centre owners, who misleadingly advise candidates to delay registration until the last minute.

“This strategy is often aimed at forcing an extension of the registration period, thereby enabling the mass movement of candidates to centres in groups, which facilitates examination malpractice,” it said.

JAMB explained that the 2026 UTME registration commenced on Jan. 26 and was scheduled to last for five weeks, noting that the timeline remained unchanged.

The board disclosed that about one million candidates had so far indicated interest in the examination, while many had procured their ePINs and were expected to complete registration promptly.

It added that extending the registration period was impracticable because its operational calendar was aligned with those of other examination bodies.

JAMB advised candidates to register early, avoid last-minute rush and disregard any suggestion that the deadline would be extended.

The board emphasised that it would not be responsible for candidates who failed to act within the stipulated time.