7th April, 2024
By Polycarp Auta
Management of the Plateau University, Bokkos, has denied allegations making the rounds that the National Universities Commission (NUC) was planning to shut down the institution.
Mr Yakubu Ayuba, the Registrar of the University denied the allegation in a statement on Sunday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement by Mr Shittu Bamaiyi, its acting Publicity Secretary in Plateau, alleged that the NUC had concluded plans to close down the university.
Bamaiyi in the statement further alleged that the NUC had decided to withdraw the certificate of recognition and accreditation given to the institution over what he described as the state government’s meddlesomeness in the management of the university.
But the registrar insisted that such a claim was not only false and misleading but mischievous.
“The attention of the Management of Plateau 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 by those that have no bearing on the university’s academic activities.
“Since the suspension of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution, following engagement with the government which made available funds to settle the demands of the union, the revised Academic Calander has been running smoothly, with lectures for the semester concluded and examinations commencing on April 15, 2024.
“Admissions have since been concluded into the existing and new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes approved by the NUC, and the allegation is false and misleading,” the registrar said.
Ayuba further explained that the management of the university did not sack any staff, including those recently employed in the newly created departments.
The registrar, who said that the university was waxing stronger with a current population of over 10,000 students, added 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 the withdrawal of the university’s operating license as insinuated by a group has no basis,” he said.