Staff members of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education have shed light on issues that led to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dismiss Prof. Tahir Mamman from his role as Minister of Education.
Recall that Prof. Mamman, along with four other ministers, was removed from office on Wednesday.
The other dismissed officials include Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Minister of Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development).
Speaking with newsmen, a ministry insider suggested that Mamman’s removal was partly due to his alleged refusal to settle longstanding salary arrears owed to certain ministry employees.
“About a month or two ago, it was widely reported that he was among the least performing ministers. Many years of arrears remain unpaid despite numerous promises,” the source disclosed, noting that frustrated employees had staged protests over unpaid wages.
Another factor reportedly contributing to his dismissal involves Mamman’s alleged attempt to install Prof. Aisha Maikudi, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, as the university’s permanent Vice Chancellor.
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The insider explained, “The appointment of an unqualified Vice Chancellor might also have contributed to his removal. If news of the improper process reaches the public, it will expose deep-rooted issues in the ministry.”
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It was reported that the University of Abuja’s Governing Council had allegedly sought to make Prof. Maikudi the permanent Vice Chancellor, despite her reportedly not meeting all qualifications.
Sources indicated that the council had relaxed criteria to facilitate her selection, raising questions over transparency.
Further revelations suggest that former Vice Chancellor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah may be behind the push for Maikudi’s appointment, reportedly to repay a longstanding debt of gratitude to her father, who had previously supported Na’Allah’s controversial appointment as VC five years ago.
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