Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
The management of Plateau State University, Bokkos, has dismissed reports that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has threatened to close down the institution, describing the report as mischievous.
The university’s Registrar, Mr. Yakubu Ayuba, denied the allegation in a statement on Sunday in Jos, the state capital.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement by its acting Publicity Secretary in the state, Shittu Bamaiyi, had alleged that the NUC has concluded plans to close down the university and withdraw the university’s certificate of recognition and accreditation over what he described as the state government’s meddlesomeness in the university’s management.
But the registrar insisted that such an allegation was not only false and misleading but mischievous, particularly coming from a political party that has no business in the university’s management.
The statement read: “The attention of the management of Plateau State University, Bokkos, has been drawn to a press release by a political party and a letter purported to be written by the NUC to the Visitor to the university circulating on some media platforms.
“This action is capable of causing anxiety and shaking the confidence of students, staff, parents, and prospective students; therefore, management wishes to clarify that Plateau University is a citadel of knowledge and the legacy of Plateau people should not be dragged into any political contestation, especially those that have no bearing on the university’s academic activities.
“That since the suspension of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities of the institution, following engagement with the government which made available funds to settle the demands of the union, the revised academic calendar has been running smoothly, with lectures for the semester concluded and examinations commencing on April 15, 2024.”
Ayuba added that, “Admissions have since been concluded into the existing and new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes approved by the NUC, and the so-called allegation is false and misleading.”
The Registrar further explained that the management of the university did not sack any staff, including those recently employed in the newly created departments as claimed by Bamaiyi.
He said that the university was waxing stronger with a current population of over 10,000 students, adding that the government would not do anything that would jeopardise the future of the students.
“Management wishes to assure our students, parents, staff, stakeholders, potential students, and the general public that there are no concerns in the relationship between the NUC and the university. Therefore, fears of withdrawal of the university’s operating license as insinuated by a group has no basis”, he further noted.
