The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Gusau, Prof. Muazu Abubakar, has vindicated members of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education over the alleged demand of N480 million as a condition for approving varsities’ 2025 budgets.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the House committee, the Vice-Chancellor faulted the media report claiming that the federal universities’ VCs were coerced to pay a bribe of N8 million each to facilitate the budget approval.
Contrary to the generic claim of the media, the VC said that the Reps members were alleged in the report to be targetting a ‘stubborn vice-chancellor’ who he believes is himself. He stated that he initially wanted to keep mute on the issue but later deemed it appropriate to respond and set things straight to avoid misleading narratives from being accepted as fact by the public.
“The attention of the Federal University, Gusau, has been drawn to a trending online report titled Investigation: Nigerian Lawmakers Demand N480 million from Universities to Approve 2025 Budget.
“We categorically state that no member of the university team present at the budget defence was part of the information circulated in the media.
“We urge you, Mr. Chairman, and your esteemed committee members to disregard this malicious and sensational report, which aims to mislead the public and undermine constructive journalism.”
The vice chancellor commended the committee for its support, describing the budget defence session as “robust, friendly, and engaging.
“Mr Chairman, the Governing Council, the vice-chancellor and indeed, the management and Senate of the Federal University Gusau, openly acknowledge the praise-worthy support of your committee.
“We pledge to work assiduously to further cement such relationship in the interest of the overall development of the university and furtherance of tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said.
Recall that the spokesperson of the committee Akin Rotimi, had earlier debunked the information in a statement. He described the media reports as calculated attempts to smear the reputation of the hallowed institution.
