President Bola Tinubu has removed Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami from his roles as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, November 20/11/24, was linked to Salami’s non-compliance with directives from the Ministry of Education, which worsened the leadership crisis at the university.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency highlighted Salami’s suspension of FUHSO’s pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Innocent Ujah, without following due process.
The Ministry of Education declared the action illegal and ordered Ujah’s reinstatement, a directive Salami refused to comply with.
Despite directives from the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the unlawful suspension, Engr. Salami refused to comply and instead resorted to abusive and threatening behavior toward Ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary,” the statement read.
The ministry had earlier opposed the council’s decision to appoint former Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ediga Agbo, who was no longer a staff member, as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
In a letter dated November 1, the ministry instructed the reinstatement of Prof. Ujah to allow him to complete his tenure, set to end on November 6, 2024.
The situation intensified on November 5 when Prof. Ujah chaired a Senate meeting that resulted in the election of Prof. Steve Obekpa Abah as Acting Vice-Chancellor. However, Salami rejected these actions, maintaining that Ujah’s suspension was still in effect.
For clarity, Prof. Innocent Ujah remains suspended and has no legal authority to convene a Senate meeting,” Salami stated in a November 6 declaration.
President Tinubu underscored the importance of university councils focusing on maintaining seamless academic operations and steering clear of disruptions, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to improving education standards across the country.
