Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Government has dissolved the Governing Council of Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, and relieved the Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Salihu Muhammad Bello, along with the two Deputy Vice‑Chancellors and other key officials of their appointments. The decision, announced in a statement issued on Thursday, 30 April 2026, by the Secretary to the State Government, Yakubu Bala Tafida, followed the State Executive Council’s consideration of the report of a visitation panel that had investigated the affairs of the university.
According to the statement, the government also terminated the appointments of the Registrar, Aminu S. Gwandu; the Bursar, Murtala B. Muhammad; and the university’s legal officer, Abba Muhammad Adua. In their place, the government has appointed Professor Samaila Arzika Mungadi as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to stabilise governance and restore academic standards pending the reconstitution of a new Governing Council. The decision takes immediate effect.
The dissolution and removal of the principal officers are the latest in a series of sweeping actions taken by Governor Nasir Idris against the leadership of the university. In August 2025, the governor had suspended the university’s Governing Council following a protest by students over a hike in tuition fees and other perceived injustices. At that time, a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, accused the council of insensitivity and poor management. The university, which was established in 2021 by former Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, is named after the revered 19th‑century Islamic scholar Usman Dan Fodio’s son, Abdullahi.
The visitation panel’s report, whose full findings have not been made public, is believed to have uncovered significant administrative lapses and governance deficiencies. The government did not provide specific details of the infractions that led to the dissolution and sackings, but it emphasised that the appointment of a Sole Administrator was necessary to stabilise the institution and restore academic excellence. Professor Samaila Arzika Mungadi, the new Sole Administrator, is a seasoned academic and administrator. Until his appointment, he served as a professor of science education at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders. While some have applauded the government for taking decisive action, others have expressed concern about the stability of the university and the welfare of its students. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has yet to issue an official statement, but a senior member of the university’s chapter, speaking on condition of anonymity, told our reporter that the sudden removal of the entire leadership structure could disrupt academic activities. “We hope the Sole Administrator will prioritize the smooth running of the university and engage with staff to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” the source said.
The Kebbi State Government has assured students, staff and the general public that the appointment of the Sole Administrator is aimed at repositioning the institution for effective service delivery. The statement by the SSG noted that the decision was made in the best interest of the university and its host community. The government also reiterated its commitment to providing quality education and ensuring that all public institutions adhere to the highest standards of governance and accountability.
As the new Sole Administrator takes over, the university community is now looking forward to a period of stability and focused leadership. The immediate challenge for Professor Mungadi will be to restore confidence among staff and students, address any pending administrative issues, and ensure that the academic calendar is not disrupted. The government has promised to reconstitute a new Governing Council in due course, but no timeline has been given. For now, the Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, is under a single administrator, and the full extent of the changes that will follow remains to be seen.
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